LEESBURG, Fla. — A man is dead and a woman is injured after a dog attack led to a shooting Friday morning in Leesburg, prompting a nearby school to be placed on lockdown.
Witnesses told deputies a woman was being attacked by a large dog in the area of 1904 Griffin Road near a homeless encampment when Matthew Pasco, 43, attempted to shoot the dog to help her, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Deputy Stephanie Earley told Inside Lake.
The dog’s owner was shot, Earley told Inside Lake. He was airlifted to an area hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. His identity has not been released.
The woman who was attacked by the dog was also taken to an area hospital. Her identity has not been released.
Law enforcement searches for Matthew Pasco in Leesburg Friday morning. VIDEO: Eddie Allard/Inside Lake
Carver Middle School, located near the scene, was placed on lockdown, Lake County Schools Communications Officer Sherri Owens said.
Pasco is not in custody and 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. He is believed to still be armed with a handgun,” Earley said.
Pasco has been arrested for a variety of crimes since 2022, including domestic battery, theft, possession of fentanyl and trespassing.
Anyone who sees Pasco is urged not to approach him and to contact law enforcement immediately. Anyone with information on Pasco’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at 352-343-2101, email tips@lcso.org or call Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.
