- November 6, 2024
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A man in a pirate costume was arrested after he waved his sword at people on the beach, ranting at them incoherently, according to Sherifff's Office report.
The oddly dressed figure walking near the Flagler By the Sea Campground drew the attention of 60-year-old Longwood resident Andrew Huijsmans, a vacationer who was outside having a drink when he noticed the 'pirate,' who was yelling as he walked through the campground toward the beach.
Huijsmans noticed the "pirate's" sword, and found him suspicious. Huijsmans noticed that a man and woman were in the pirate's path on the beach. So, concerned for their safety, Huijsmans approached the pirate — later determined to be 48-year-old Palm Coast resident David Mark Willis.
"(Huijsmans) stated Mr. Willis was yelling and incoherent. He was also waving the sword," a Flagler County Sheriff's Office deputy wrote in an arrest report.
Willis started walking toward Huijsmans, still swinging the sword. Huijsmans later told the deputy that he feared for his life. But Huijsmans, who is a private investigator, was able to distract Willis, then "jumped Mr. Willis and took him to the ground," and yelled to a friend to help him, according to the report.
Huijsmans' son, a 17-year-old, got a pair of Huijsmans' handcuffs, and Huijsmans was able to secure Willis and keep Willis' sword out of Willis' reach until deputies arrived.
Michael Richter, the friend Huijsmans had called out to for help, told deputies that Richter had seen Willis, who looked drunk, fall into the water, and ran up to him to make sure he was OK. But Willis "got up and started yelling" and coming toward him. Richter called 911 before Willis attacked Huijsmans, he said.
Willis was charged with disorderly conduct and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
