A Florida man has been arrested after deputies said he shot his girlfriend and then struck her with his vehicle while his 5-year-old child was inside.
The alleged attack followed an argument outside a bar in Safe Harbor, Florida.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as 40-year-old Christopher “Dodge” Smith.
Christopher “Dodge” Smith, 40, was arrested after investigators said he shot his girlfriend and ran her over with his SUV. (Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office)
The victim was identified by deputies as 30-year-old Jessica Antolini.
According to a criminal complaint, Smith arrived at the bar shortly before 9 p.m. Tuesday and appeared to be searching for Antolini. Witnesses reportedly described him as looking “possessed.”
The complaint states that Smith found Antolini outside the bar, where the two argued before he allegedly shot her in the face.
Deputies said Smith then drove his SUV over Antolini and fled with his 5-year-old child in the vehicle, leaving the wounded woman at the scene.
The alleged shooting and vehicle attack occurred across the street from a bar in Safe Harbor, Florida. (Google Maps)
“Detectives say multiple 911 calls reporting the shooting were received from witnesses who also provided information about Smith’s vehicle,” the report stated.
Deputies responding to the reports located Smith’s SUV and attempted to stop it.
Smith allegedly refused to stop, and deputies ultimately immobilized the vehicle.
Body-camera, dashcam and aerial footage released by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office appears to show a deputy using a PIT maneuver to stop the SUV.
Smith was arrested after the pursuit and charged with attempted first-degree murder and child abuse.
Investigators said Christopher “Dodge” Smith led deputies on a brief pursuit before his SUV was stopped and he was taken into custody in connection with the alleged attack. (Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office)
Antolini remains hospitalized in critical condition. The child was not injured and was later reunited with family, authorities said.
Smith remains held in the Pinellas County jail without bond on the attempted first-degree murder charge.
