Shooter won't be charged for murder in the death of his Apollo Beach neighbor

APOLLO BEACH, Fla. - One man was shot to death outside a home on Silver Falls Dr. in Apollo Beach, but officials say they have not charged the shooter.

Larry McKinnon with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said  67-year-old David Cockerham was walking his dog along with his wife around 6:30 p.m. when he got into an altercation with 52-year-old John Gallik, a neighbor in the Del Webb Southshore Falls gated community.

Police say the confrontation happened after Cockerman's dog became startled when they walked passed Gallik's home.

The dog knocked over a sign in front of the neighbor's home that was partially blocking the sidewalk.

When Cockerman moved the sign out of the way and tried to control his pet, Gallik came outside of his home and began yelling profanities and charging toward Cockerman, officials said.

Cockerman stepped back when Gallik reportedly took a butterfly knife out of his pocket. He then started thrusting and waving the weapon toward Cockerman, threatening to cut his throat.

Gallik reportedly charged at Cockerman with the knife, so Cockerman took a 38 caliber revolver from his pocket at shot a single round toward Gallik.

Deputies told ABC Action News the Cockerman did have a concealed weapons permit.  T

McKinnon said the shooter waited for deputies to arrive and handed over the gun.

"His wife was pretty shaken up," said McKinnon.

 McKinnon said the investigation would show whether this is a homicide or a stand your ground case, and it has been determined to be the latter. 

Cockerman has not been charged and has been released from custody pending the completion of the investigation and a final ruling by the Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office.

Four friends of the Gallik told ABC Action News he was mentally ill, living on food stamps and was without running water or electricity.

"He was a human being," said Karan Stone, a friend of the deceased.  "He just needed to be respected."

Stone said she took the shooting victim to get mental health help and helped him get his food stamp card activated Wednesday.

The deceased was married for 11 years and his estranged wife now lives in New Jersey, Stone said.