Luke Hatcher, an avid fisherman, is reconsidering his favorite pastime after a terrifying incident earlier this week. The 15-year-old and his friend Tristen Smith were bass fishing at a pond in the gated Esplanade section of Tampa Bay's Starkey Ranch community on Monday when an irate resident confronted them with a knife as they were leaving.

"I was about to ask to pet his dog too, but I waved hello to him," Hatcher recounted. "Next thing you know, without saying a word, he whips out his knife and starts cursing at me and chasing me around."

Hatcher quickly pulled out his cell phone to record the incident as both boys fled the neighborhood.

“He chased us the first time, and then in between it all, he decided to check the mail, took a mail break, and then decided to chase us again," Hatcher said.

The teens remembered the mailbox location and relayed this information to Pasco County Sheriff's deputies, showing them the video. This led to the arrest of the man with the knife, identified by authorities as Edward Cullum.

"The two things I thought right away are: I'm glad they ran away from him instead of engaging, and how brilliant it was to actually capture it on video," said Hatcher's father, Chris.

Neighborhoods often grapple with the issue of fishing rights in ponds. While fishing is legal in public waters, questions of trespassing arise on private property. The Esplanade HOA enforces a no-fishing rule, even for residents. Opinions in the community are divided; some say teens have been warned about trespassing, while others assert there is no justification for pulling a knife.

"There's no reason, no matter what they are doing, even if they are being disrespectful, which I wasn't. But a knife being pulled on somebody is too much for that," Hatcher said.

Hatcher admitted they had been warned not to fish in Esplanade before, and after this encounter, the kids don’t plan on returning.

Tristen Smith also reflected on the incident, expressing disbelief at how quickly a peaceful afternoon turned dangerous. "We were just there to fish, not cause trouble. It’s scary to think someone could react like that over something so simple," he said.

The incident has sparked a discussion within the community about safety and appropriate ways to handle perceived trespassing. While some residents advocate for stricter rule enforcement, others argue that violence is never the answer.

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office emphasized the importance of non-violent conflict resolution, especially when dealing with minors. They urge residents to contact authorities if they witness trespassing or other concerns, rather than taking matters into their own hands.

This experience has left both teens and their families shaken, but they hope it will lead to better understanding and cooperation within the community.