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Father killed by son in fight

The pair had been arguing most of the day. Police say the shooting was in self defense.

ST. PETERSBURG - A fight between a father and son turned fatal when the son pulled a gun after being attacked with an iron stake, police said.

Ollie Latodd Flounary Sr. died early Wednesday at Bayfront Medical Center, where his son and wife rushed him after the shooting.

He was 43, and Ollie Latodd Flounary Jr., 20, was his only son.

To family, they were known as Big Todd and Little Todd.

"We're in complete disbelief," Richard Flounary said of his brother's death. "There was a lot of tension in the house. It's hard to put a finger on it."

Police questioned Flounary Jr. then released him, deeming his actions self defense. The case has been turned over to the State Attorney's Office.

Sgt. Mike Puetz of the St. Petersburg police homicide unit said Flounary Jr. got the gun from the house on 16th Street S along with his other belongings and was preparing to leave when his father confronted him on the back porch with a 13-inch iron stake.

The argument began Tuesday afternoon when both men picked up a telephone call and the older Flounary thought his son was disrespectful in telling him to hang up, Puetz said. They scuffled in the living room, knocking over an aquarium housing a catfish, and continued to argue throughout the day.

Then, just before midnight, the fight reached its violent climax when Flounary Jr. threw his father's stereo out the window.

Family members at the home Wednesday afternoon said the two had an occasionally combative relationship that worsened when the son moved in about two years ago.

"Despite their troubles they got along," Richard Flounary said. "They did things together: fishing, watching Discovery Channel and talking about different things.

"They were just two strong-willed people," said Richard Flounary's wife, Estella. "One of them should have just walked away. It's just that simple."

The older Flounary was one of six children raised in the two-story house on 16th Street S. He worked as a roofer and handyman, and was known for his sense of humor and stylish attire. His son has seen trouble before, having been arrested on charges of robbery, cocaine possession and disorderly conduct. But family members do not want him punished by law for the shooting.

"He'll have to live without his father the rest of his life," said his aunt Deloris Elias. "That's his prosecution. We love him and we want him to know that."

After being released by police, Flounary Jr. went to his mother's house and tried to sleep, family said, curling up in the fetal position. "He looks like a zombie," Richard Flounary said. "He's stressed out pretty bad."