LEESBURG, Fla. — A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a man deputies say fatally shot a dog owner Friday.
Matthew Pasco, 43, is considered “armed and dangerous,” Lake County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Jim Vachon said.
Witnesses told deputies a woman was being attacked by a large dog in the area of 1904 Griffin Road near a homeless encampment when Pasco attempted to shoot the dog Friday morning, LCSO Public Information Officer Deputy Stephanie Earley told Inside Lake. The dog’s owner was shot. He was airlifted to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His identity has not been released.
The woman who was attacked was also transported to an area hospital. Her identity has not been released.
Pasco fled the scene, and nearby Carver Middle School was placed on lockdown as law enforcement searched the area on foot and by air. LCSO released Pasco’s name, photo and description late Friday morning, initially identifying him as a person of interest.
The 911 call related to the incident was released Friday afternoon. Listen below.
Early Saturday morning, Vachon said, “Overnight, detectives obtained a warrant for Mr. Pasco’s arrest on a charge of premeditated first-degree murder and are seeking information on his whereabouts.”
He is described as 5 feet, 11 inches tall, 150 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He has a prominent scar on the right side of his face, Earley said.
“Pasco is homeless and frequents the Leesburg area,” Earley said.
If you see Pasco, do not approach him. Contact law enforcement immediately. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at 352-343-2101, email tips@lcso.org or contact Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.
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