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Police: Man accused of killing neighbor said he was on 'mission,' in 'war zone'

TITUSVILLE, Fla. — WFTV obtained new documents that describe how investigators said a Titusville combat veteran was ready to wage war when he shot his three neighbors, killing one, over a feud.

A judge denied bond for 44-year-old William Woodward on Tuesday. He's facing murder charges and remains in The Brevard County Jail.

Police said Woodward complained about loud parties at his neighbor's home. The feud boiled over on Monday when police said the military veteran shot and killed his neighbor, 39-year-old Gary Hembree, before opening fire on two others.

Woodward is accused of gunning down Hembree in a Labor Day weekend shootout on Smith Drive. Roger Picior, a 44-year-old man who lived with Hembree, was shot as well. He was placed on life support. Another man who was shot, Bruce Blake, is expected to survive.

WFTV obtained an injunction document and Woodward's arrest report on Tuesday. The documents describe how investigators said Woodward went into full military mode while carrying out the attack.

According to documents, Woodward fired 31 rounds. WFTV learned there is surveillance video which shows Woodward crawling on his belly to the first neighbor's house. In the video, a victim can be heard calling Woodward a "plastic G.I.JO" before he was shot.

Woodward told police after the shooting he considered himself on a "mission" and that he was in "a war zone," according to documents.

Police said after he fired on all three victims he went back to two of them, looked down at them and shot them again in the head.

Police said they tried to warn a judge last week that an incident like Monday's could happen. However, a judge did not call police officers to testify during a hearing and dismissed the case.

Court records reveal Woodward and his family members had sought restraining orders against the men he's accused of shooting. The Woodwards claimed there was a feud between two households stemming from a dispute between their children.

Woodward's father said Hembree threatened them multiple times, even saying Hembree threatened to take a bat to Woodward's head, according to police.

After Judge John Moxley denied the restraining order last week, the hearing turned into a brawl.

Deputies reported Woodward attacked Hembree in the parking lot of the courthouse saying, "Are you ready to die?"

The witness also said Woodward later turned to deputies and said, "Arrest me. I just hit him."

After the parking lot fight last Wednesday, Woodward was arrested but quickly released.

WFTV asked to speak with Moxley about his decision, but a courthouse spokesperson said the judge will not be granting interviews as it would be inappropriate to comment on the matter.

Woodward is the Titusville fire chief's brother. And WFTV found documents that show his family was worried about his impulsive behavior.

Friends said Woodard suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and became enraged at his neighbor's loud parties.

"The system let him down, all the pleas and all the cries that he was asking for help," said Woodard's friend, Gary Taylor.

Woodward's wife warned in court documents, she feared her husband was bipolar and had trouble with his self-control.

Prosecutor Gary Beatty said Woodward's war record isn't necessarily a viable defense.

But the neighborhood feud isn't over.

Family members of the victim and friends of Woodward nearly came to blows as WFTV's cameras rolled.

"Do you think he deserved to be shot in the head?" Hembree's ex-wife asked Woodard's friend. "You should be ashamed of yourself."

"And you should be ashamed of yourself," replied Woodard's friend.

Titusville police said that at one point, they tried to get the neighbors to come together for mediation, but they both refused.

Woodward was charged with one count of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder.

Friends and family of the victims said they are planning a candlelight vigil for them Wednesday night.

WFTV

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