NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — Two Pasco County deputies were injured early Saturday when a domestic violence call turned into a gunfight in a New Port Richey neighborhood.
- Terrance Peterson in custody after early-morning shooting
- Pasco deputy shot in the leg, needed surgery
- Pasco Sheriff: "This Was An Absolute Gun Battle Out There"
But it could have been worse.
"This individual had a full intention in my eyes to kill deputies tonight," said Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco. "To kill people tonight. He was shooting at everybody."
Nocco said 62 year-old Terrance Peterson, the suspect in the shooting, definitely intended to harm whomever he could.
One deputy, identified as 41-year-old Christopher Stone, suffered a gunshot to the leg that hit an artery. He was rushed to a hospital and underwent surgery. A second deputy, who has not been identified, suffered a hand injury when he was grazed by a bullet. Both are expected to recover.
Terrance J. Peterson is facing charges of domestic violence and five counts of attempted homicide. (Pasco County Jail)
It was a situation that escalated quickly, all starting when Peterson fired his gun at an Amazon Alexa voice-command device, sparking a fight with his wife.
"The call came in from the daughter of the couple," Nocco said. "She said that they’re family fights a lot, and it’s not unusual for the husband and wife to get in physical altercations. But they don’t call 9-1-1, they don’t notify the county. They just fight and they call the daughter up."
But court paperwork shows this wasn’t the first time Peterson was in trouble with the law.
Peterson was arrested by the Pasco Sheriff’s Office on November 1, 2015 for another case of domestic battery. Nocco said Peterson also had a prior charge in another state, but did not comment on what for.
"These altercations, they stated to us, usually go on consistently but they don’t notify 9-1-1," Nocco said.
For this incident, Peterson is facing one count of domestic battery and five counts of attempted homicide.
Nocco Peterson’s wife is safe, but did not comment on any injuries.