Left: David Gipson mug shot. Right: Gipson after his arrest (Washington County Sheriff’s Office).
Authorities in Florida made an arrest following a horrific incident where a 40-year-old man reportedly beat a 74-year-old woman to death. Additionally, he is accused of kidnapping and raping another woman, eventually confining her in a large toolbox in a shed.
The events unfolded at approximately 10 p.m. on a Sunday evening, as per Washington County Sheriff Kevin Crews during a press conference. The suspect, David Earl Gipson, allegedly initiated the encounter by knocking on the victims’ door. After the surviving victim opened the door, Gipson purportedly made alarming claims about her family members owing him money, branding them as “thieves.”
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Reportedly, Gipson, recognized by a tattoo spelling “trust no b–” on his chest, proceeded to enter the residence and began pilfering items. Subsequently, he violently attacked the woman, inflicting blows to her head area. The assault escalated into handcuffing the victim and forcibly undressing her. The elderly mother-in-law, Lettie Cooper Collins, also fell victim to Gipson’s aggression, with allegations suggesting he physically assaulted her too.
According to the sheriff, the last time the victim saw her mother-in-law alive, her eyes were swollen shut and her face covered in blood.
Gipson allegedly kidnapped the younger victim, duct taped her mouth shut and threw her in Collins’ PT Cruiser before driving off. He then drove her to his house, where he sexually assaulted her and threatened to kill her, police said. Following the alleged assault, the defendant took her to a shed in the back of his property and forced her inside a large toolbox. Gipson closed the box and put plywood and other debris on top to keep her inside, Crews said.
“She was naked,” Crews explained. “Still handcuffed and duct-taped around her mouth. He put a rope over her neck and tucked her legs up underneath her. If you can picture what a hog tie looks like, that’s what he did to her. She stated she got very hot and thought she was going to suffocate and die.”
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Deputies believe she was trapped in the toolbox for most of Monday before she was able to get her feet under her and push it ajar.
“She got out of the shed and then ran for her life,” the sheriff said.
While still handcuffed, she used a tree to push down the duct tape from her mouth before running to a nearby road where she flagged down a motorist who helped her get into his car and gave her a blanket, per Crews. Deputies responded around 5:20 p.m. on Monday to Douglas Ferry Road, where they came to the aid of the woman.
She explained the terrifying experience and told them to check on her mother-in-law. When deputies arrived at the home, they found Collins dead.
“She was beaten to a pulp,” said Crews.
He stands accused of kidnapping, sexual assault and aggravated battery. It’s unclear if he’s been charged yet with Collins’ murder. He is at the Washington County Jail without bond. He’s next scheduled to appear in court on June 2.
