BRANDON, FLORIDA — A 44-year-old Florida man is behind bars after allegedly shooting his eight-months-pregnant girlfriend in the stomach while she slept beside two of her children, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Both the woman and her newborn baby survived after emergency treatment, and detectives say surveillance footage helped identify the suspect.
Pregnant Woman Arrives at Hospital With Gunshot Wound as Suspect Flees
Just before 5:20 a.m. on November 22, deputies were alerted when a critically injured pregnant woman was dropped off at a regional hospital in Brandon. Hospital staff told investigators that the man who brought her inside immediately fled the scene.
Deputies later identified the fleeing individual as Eric Patterson, 44, described by authorities as a 15-time convicted felon with a history of violent and weapons-related offenses. The victim was found suffering from a gunshot wound to the abdomen, and doctors soon discovered that the bullet also struck her unborn child.
Authorities say Patterson drove away in the victim’s vehicle after dropping her off.
Investigators Say the Victim Was Shot While Sleeping With Her Children
Detectives quickly uncovered disturbing details about the moments leading up to the shooting…