Case Summary
- Case Type
- Robbery
- Incident Date
- Tuesday
- Location
- Marathon gas station, Boynton Beach, FL
- Investigating Agency
- WSVN Miami
- Victim Count
- 1
- Case Status
- Under investigation
A South Florida father and underwater photographer survived an armed robbery attempt in Boynton Beach on Tuesday when a bullet fired by an assailant was deflected by his iPhone, according to local reports.
The incident took place at a Marathon gas station located in Boynton Beach, Florida, where victim Joseph Leatherman encountered an armed suspect who approached him from behind and demanded his belongings at gunpoint.
Incident Overview
According to victim accounts detailed in reports from WSVN Miami, the confrontation escalated when the suspect pressed a firearm into Leatherman's back during the attempted robbery. Despite the immediate threat, Leatherman refused to comply with the demands, telling the assailant to leave the area. The suspect subsequently threatened to shoot, and as the confrontation continued, a shot was fired. In an unexpected turn of events, Leatherman's iPhone absorbed or deflected the incoming projectile, preventing catastrophic injury.
Suspect Information
The suspect involved in the Tuesday incident at the Boynton Beach gas station has not been publicly named or identified by authorities. According to the victim, the individual approached from behind, brandished a firearm, and demanded property before fleeing the scene.
Victim Information
The victim has been identified as Joseph Leatherman, a South Florida resident who works as an underwater photographer and spends his free time diving with sharks. Leatherman stated that despite his familiarity with physical risks in his profession, the encounter at the gas station presented an entirely different kind of danger.
Charges Filed
Formal criminal charges have not yet been itemized or announced in this case, as the investigation remains ongoing and authorities continue to search for the suspect. In the Florida criminal justice system, once a suspect is apprehended, prosecutors typically review the evidence to determine appropriate felony charges, which in armed incidents often include attempted armed robbery, aggravated assault with a firearm, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Felony charges in Florida are classified by degree, ranging from first-degree felonies carrying potential life sentences down to third-degree felonies punishable by up to five years in state prison, depending on the specific statutory factors and the presence of weapons or bodily injury.
Court Information
Official court records, docket numbers, and upcoming hearing schedules have not been released for this case, as an arrest has not yet been publicized by law enforcement agencies. When an arrest is eventually made, the suspect will undergo an initial appearance and first appearance hearing before a judge to address bond conditions, followed by a formal arraignment where charges are formally read and a plea is entered.
Statements from Authorities
Direct quotes from law enforcement officials were not included in the initial media reports. According to coverage provided by WSVN Miami, the primary account of the incident currently comes from the victim, Joseph Leatherman, who described the harrowing encounter at the gas station.
Public Safety Information
Authorities advise anyone with information regarding this attempted robbery or who recognizes suspicious activity around local commercial establishments to contact local law enforcement immediately. In the event of an active emergency or immediate threat to personal safety, individuals should dial 911. For those affected by violent crime who may need support services or counseling, resources are available through local victim advocacy programs.
What Happens Next
As the investigation into the Boynton Beach gas station incident continues, law enforcement detectives will review available surveillance footage, physical evidence, and witness testimony to identify and apprehend the suspect. Once an arrest is executed, the case will transition into the judicial system, beginning with initial court appearances, formal charging documents filed by the state attorney, and subsequent pretrial proceedings.
