A man unhappy with the fare a Deltona taxi driver was charging started beating the cabbie but the Red Cab worker pulled out a gun to defend himself, deputies said.

When deputies arrived at the parking lot of the Winn Dixie at 2880 Howland Blvd. after 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, they found Bobby Calvert, 59, of Deltona bleeding "significantly" from the nose, a report shows.

Calvert told deputies that he picked up Michael Staton, 39, and brought him to the grocery store. When he told Staton that the fare was $12, "Staton became agitated over the price of the fare," investigating deputies wrote in their reports.

Calvert showed Staton the fare chart that showed $12 but Staton got out of the cab and walked to driver's side, opened the door and dragged Calvert out, while punching him several times in the face, deputies said.

Calvert was able to reach for his firearm he had in the vehicle and pointed it at Staton because he was in fear for his safety. Staton walked away, deputies said.

Staton was located at a nearby gas station. When deputies asked him to come outside so they can talk to him, Staton exited the convenience store but became uncooperative. He later kicked a deputy as they tried to secure him, reports show.

Staton was charged with burglary with assault or battery and battery on a law enforcement officer.