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2 men tried to kill their dad, police say

By ABHI RAGHUNATHAN
Published February 22, 2007

Eric Hadley says he walked out his front door and into an ambush set up by his two sons Tuesday evening.

Hadley, 42, recently took out a $75,000 loan. The construction worker said he's buying a new house and had purchased a new Kawasaki motorcycle and a 2006 Dodge Magnum.

That type of spending upset his sons, 21-year-old Eric Newkirk and 18-year-old Corey Hadley, police say. The sons wanted the money for themselves, according to investigators.

So as soon as Hadley stepped out of his home at 4042 Second Ave. S Tuesday night, his son Eric fired several shots at him with a silver-colored handgun. He missed.

But then, St. Petersburg police said, Hadley's two sons punched and kicked him, knocking out a front tooth. They took his wristwatch and a gold ring, worth a total of $2,000.

St. Petersburg police are searching for the two men. They could face charges of attempted first-degree murder.

Hadley says he's distraught by the attack and wants his sons to be punished by the law. He separated from their mother about 10 years ago, but still stays in touch with them regularly.

"I've been living a long time, and I never had an enemy do this to me," he said. "I want them to be prosecuted. Fully."

[Last modified February 22, 2007, 01:33:50]