FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Authorities say a Florida man attacked his elderly landlord with a machete after the older man confronted the tenant about unpaid rent.

News outlets report that 48-year-old Jimmie Lee Leeks was arrested in Fort Lauderdale and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

Police say 89-year-old Maurice Blanchar was renting a studio apartment in his backyard to Leeks. Blanchar told police he went to talk to Leeks about late rent money on Wednesday and said Leeks pulled out a machete and tried to kill him. Blanchar suffered cuts to his arm, head and leg but was able to somewhat defend himself with a cane.

Jail records didn’t list an attorney for Leeks.