Leesburg Manhunt After Matthew Lee Pasco Kills Dog Owner While Trying To Shoot Attacking Dog

A manhunt is under way in Leesburg, Florida, after the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said a 43-year-old man tried to shoot a dog that was attacking a woman but instead killed the dog’s owner.

Multiple outlets tied the incident to Friday morning and placed it near a homeless camp on Griffin Road, with WFLA adding that it occurred in the Griffin Road and Tally Box Road area of Leesburg.

FOX 35 Orlando

The Orlando Sentinel said the shooting was reported around 7:20 a.m. Friday outside the Lake County WIC Office on Griffin Road, while FOX 35 Orlando said it happened around a homeless camp on April 17 near Griffin Road and Tally Box Road.

The Times of India described the incident as happening on Griffin Road near a homeless camp area and said Matthew Lee Pasco fled the scene on foot after the shooting in Leesburg, in Lake County.

The Independent similarly said Pasco fled the scene on foot and remains at large after the shooting on Griffin Road in the area of a homeless camp.

In the account provided by Orlando Sentinel, the dog owner was pronounced dead after being taken to a hospital while the woman survived and received treatment.

WFLA added that the woman was also taken to the hospital and is receiving treatment, while The Independent said she was being treated for multiple dog bites.

Across the reports, the suspect is identified as Matthew Lee Pasco, described as homeless and known to frequent the Leesburg area, and all accounts say he fled on foot and remained at large.

The Times of India said Pasco fled the scene on foot after the shooting on Friday in Leesburg, in Lake County, and described him as 5 feet 11 inches tall, about 150 pounds, with brown hair, brown eyes, and a noticeable scar on the right side of his face.

The Independent

Orlando Sentinel similarly described Pasco as a white man with a prominent scar on the right side of his face and said he is believed to be armed with a handgun.

WFLA said Pasco is 5 feet 11 inches and weighs approximately 150 pounds, has brown hair and brown eyes with a prominent scar on the right side of his face, and was last known to be wearing a navy-blue T-shirt.

The Independent also said Pasco was last seen wearing a navy-blue T-shirt and described him as 5 feet, 11 inches tall, approximately 150 pounds, with brown hair, brown eyes, and a prominent scar on the right side of his face.

FOX 35 Orlando said LCSO released a photo of Pasco and described him as 5' 11".

One of the most detailed windows into the incident came from a 911 call released by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, which Orlando Sentinel said captured the chaotic moments as gunfire erupted.

“A manhunt is underway for a Florida man who deputies say tried to stop a violent dog attack but instead shot and killed the animal’s owner”

The Independent

The Orlando Sentinel reported that the caller was reporting the woman’s injuries to a dispatcher when gunfire broke out, and it included the caller’s exchange about who had been shot.

In the call, the caller said, "The owner of the dog, I think, just got shot," and then added, "I guess the boyfriend or the baby daddy of the girl was going to shoot the dog, and the owner jumped in front of it."

The caller also said, "I don’t know," as the situation unfolded, according to the same report.

Orlando Sentinel also said two dogs were injured, with one having been killed while the other was taken by LCSO’s Animal Enforcement Unit for treatment, and it noted that it is not clear which of the dogs attacked the woman.

FOX 35 Orlando similarly described the 911 call as capturing a gunshot and screams, followed by a caller reporting a gunshot wound.

The Times of India said the incident happened after Pasco allegedly stepped in when a dog attacked a woman and tried to shoot the animal, but the dog was not hit and instead the dog’s owner was fatally shot.

As deputies searched for Pasco, Lake County Public Schools placed at least one school on lockdown during the police activity, according to multiple outlets.

The Times of India said Lake County Public Schools confirmed that Carver Middle School was placed on lockdown during the search operation.

WFLA

FOX 35 Orlando also reported that Carver Middle School was placed on lockdown due to police activity.

Authorities also urged the public not to approach Pasco and provided contact channels for information.

The Times of India said officials have warned the public not to approach him and released multiple contact channels for information, urging anyone who sees him to contact law enforcement immediately.

The Independent said authorities are urging the public not to approach Pasco and directed people to contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at 352-343-2101, by email at [email protected], or through Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.

Orlando Sentinel likewise asked anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact LCSO at 352-343-2101 or Crimeline at 800-423-8477.

While deputies described Pasco as armed and dangerous, the outlets differed on how far the case had progressed in terms of formal charges.

“Video above: See the week’s top headlines in Tampa Bay LEESBURG, Fla”

WFLA

The Times of India said Pasco is currently considered a “person of interest” rather than formally charged, but police say he is armed and dangerous.

FOX 35 Orlando

FOX 35 Orlando similarly said Pasco has not been charged but is considered armed and dangerous.

Orlando Sentinel said Pasco was named a person of interest after a shooting was reported around 7:20 a.m. Friday outside the Lake County WIC Office on Griffin Road.

WFLA said the sheriff’s office is currently looking for Pasco, who fled the area on foot immediately after the shooting.

The Independent said the investigation remains ongoing and that Pasco remains at large.

Across the reports, authorities continued to urge the public not to approach Pasco and to contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Office with information.