What started as a dust‑up over a discarded vodka bottle has landed a Key Largo man in state prison. Prosecutors say 61‑year‑old George Henry Balboni was sentenced Wednesday to 78 months after pleading no contest to attempted first‑degree murder for firing a crossbow at his roommate’s head. The September 16 attack, on the 700 block of Largo Road, allegedly grew out of an argument after the roommate found the vodka bottle in Balboni’s trash.
According to Local 10, Balboni entered a no‑contest plea and received a 78‑month state prison term, with credit for 213 days already served. Investigators say he lured his 69‑year‑old roommate into a vehicle by faking a medical emergency, then fired a crossbow bolt at close range.
How deputies say it unfolded
Deputies reported being called to the scene around 6 a.m., where they found Balboni lying in the front yard, bleeding, with arrows scattered nearby. The victim, who had been grazed near the ear, directed officers to the scene and described the alleged ambush, as reported by CBS Miami. A struggle followed, deputies said, and the victim managed to wrestle the crossbow away and hit Balboni with it. Balboni was later treated at Mariners Hospital.
Prosecutors call it an attempted execution
Monroe County Chief Assistant State Attorney Joseph Mansfield described the incident as “a calculated and premeditated attempt to execute another person using a crossbow.” Prosecutors said the only reason a homicide charge was not filed is that the bolt missed its mark and the victim fought back. The sentencing order also states that Balboni received credit for 213 days already served, according to Local 10.
What’s next
By entering a no‑contest plea, Balboni sidestepped a trial and accepted the sentence imposed by the court. Any future challenges, including potential appeals or post‑sentence motions, would surface in Monroe County court records. The Keys case has drawn attention for its unusual weapon and the long‑simmering feud between two older roommates, a stark reminder of how an everyday domestic dispute can suddenly erupt into serious violence.
