Bonita Springs Man Charged for Attacking Neighbor with Wooden Plank

Dispute over gate access at gated community leads to violent confrontation

Apr. 3, 2026 at 12:52pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a wooden plank with visible grain and texture, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the weapon used in a violent neighborhood dispute.A violent neighborhood dispute over gate access in a gated community exposes the potential for escalation and the need for better conflict resolution strategies.Bonita Springs Today

A 74-year-old Bonita Springs man has been arrested and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon after allegedly hitting a neighbor in the head with a 4-foot wooden plank during a dispute over gate access at their gated community.

Why it matters

Incidents of neighborhood disputes escalating to violence are concerning, especially in gated communities where residents expect a higher level of security and civility. This case highlights the need for better conflict resolution and de-escalation strategies in residential areas.

The details

According to the police report, the victim was entering the Southern Pines community when he saw James Pugin's Ford F-150 truck tailgating him through the gate. The victim stopped his car and asked Pugin to allow the gate to close fully before entering, but Pugin responded aggressively, using expletives. When the victim tried to take a photo of Pugin's license plate, Pugin got out of his truck, punched the victim in the chin, then grabbed a wooden plank from his truck bed and struck the victim in the head, causing a cut to his left ear.

  • The incident occurred around 5:30 pm on Wednesday, April 2, 2026.

The players

James Pugin

A 74-year-old resident of the Southern Pines gated community in Bonita Springs, Florida, who was arrested and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

Victim

A resident of the Southern Pines gated community in Bonita Springs, Florida, who was struck in the head with a wooden plank by Pugin during a dispute over gate access.

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What they’re saying

“[Expletive] you, I live here,”

— James Pugin

What’s next

Pugin is being held on a charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. A court date has not yet been set to determine if he will be released on bail pending trial.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for better conflict resolution and de-escalation training in gated communities, where disputes over access and property can quickly turn violent. Residents should be encouraged to seek mediation or contact security before resorting to physical confrontation.