Altercation Leads to Man Intentionally Shooting Bystander and His Dog

SPRING HILL – Investigators with the Hernando County Sheriff's Office are on the scene of a shooting that took place behind the Publix grocery store at 160 Mariner Blvd.

According to officials, an incident involving the suspect and another individual took place in Pasco County and then resumed in Spring Hill at the current crime scene. That's where Sheriff Al Nienhuis says the suspect was arguing with an individual over items that he was trying to obtain, but in the midst of that dispute, a dog began to bark from another vehicle. Nienhuis says the suspect engaged with the driver of the vehicle, and for reason unknown, he opened fire and shot the victim and his dog. Nienhuis says the victim was completely unrelated to the suspect or the circumstances involved in the dispute.

The suspect fled the scene for a brief time and then returned, where he surrendered to deputies without further incident.

Nienhuis says, "...The unrelated victim of the shooting and his dog have both been taken, obviously, to separate areas to be attended to. The Human is going to a local trauma center and the dog is going to an emergency veterinarian. The condition of both of [those] are unknown at this time."

Due to Marsy's Law, the Sheriff's Office will not release the identity of the victim.

We will bring more on this story as it develops.