Two Pit Bulls Shot By Deputy During Aggravated Assault Investigation

Two pit bills were shot by an Escambia County deputy in self defense Sunday during an aggravated assault with a firearm investigation, according to a press release issued Tuesday morning by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Meanwhile, the couple that lives in the home where the shooting occurred is telling a different story.

Deputies had reason to believe that a suspect in the aggravated assault was at a home on Flynn Drive in West Pensacola, according to a press release. One suspect had already been arrested, and while looking for the second suspect around the perimeter of the home, deputies found one wide-open window with an upside down bucket under it. A footprint on the bucket led deputies to believe that someone might have made unlawful entry into the home.

“Repeated attempts were made to get someone to open the door, with no success. Deputies entered the house through the open window in effort to locate the suspect and to assure the safety of the occupants,” according to the ECSO statement.

Inside the home, deputies found two pit bull dogs that did not appear aggressive at first.

“Upon encountering the people in the house, the dogs became aggressive. One dog bit at one of the deputies’ leg. He pushed the dog away, but it came at him again so he shot the dog in self-defense, at which time, the second dog began to run towards him. For his personal safety, he shot the second dog,” the Sheriff’s Office said.

The couple that lives in the home has filed a complaint against the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.

Cristina Moses and Travis Nicholas said they were sleeping when deputies entered the window and told them to come out with their hands up and lie on the ground. Moses said deputies fire at least three times at the dogs, prompting her to jump up and try to stop them. She said she was thrown to the ground as a deputy continued to fire his weapon inside her home.

No one in the home was arrested.

The dogs were transported to a local veterinary hospital by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. One animal was euthanized. The second dog was treated and returned to its owner.

The deputies were placed on administrative leave pending a thorough review of the incident, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The investigation into the aggravated assault with a firearm is ongoing and victims and witnesses were still being interviewed.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect the incident occurred Sunday. A press release on the incident was issued Tuesday morning by the Sheriff’s Office.