TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) \u2014 A Tampa man was arrested Tuesday after he was accused of shooting a pregnant woman in the abdomen while she was sleeping.<\/p>\n
The woman was taken to Brandon Regional Hospital at 5:17 a.m. on November 22, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff\u2019s Office. Hospital staff told deputies the man who brought her there left the area immediately after dropping her off.<\/p>\n
The woman, who was eight months pregnant, was sleeping in bed with two of her children when Eric Patterson, 44, shot her in the abdomen, also hitting the unborn baby, HCSO said. Both the mother and the baby survived.<\/p>\n
Court records said Patterson\u2019s 9-year-old daughter woke up to a loud pop and she heard her father say \u2018I\u2019m sorry, it was an accident\u2019, while her mother was crying and holding her stomach.<\/p>\n
8 On Your Side spoke to the Mindy Murphy, the CEO of the Spring of Tampa Bay, who advocates for victims and survivors of domestic abuse, about the case.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are the tactics that abusers use to gain and maintain control over their partners. And they\u2019re really dangerous because as we just witnessed. Right. This can escalate quickly into something that\u2019s life threatening or life ending,\u201d said Murphy.<\/p>\n
The woman underwent emergency surgery at the hospital and delivered the baby, who was later air-lifted to Tampa General Hospital for more surgery.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat could have ended as a heartbreaking tragedy is now a miracle story of survival and resilience,\u201d Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. \u201cOur detectives worked tirelessly to locate the suspect, and I am grateful he is now in custody. It is truly extraordinary that both the mother and her newborn baby survived. Their strength in the face of this tragedy is a powerful reminder of why we remain committed to protecting every family in our community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Court documents said Patterson admitted to putting the gun in a dumpster out of fear, because he\u2019s a 15-time convicted felon, according to HCSO.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe justice system sometimes goes really well for survivors. A lot of times it doesn\u2019t. And when it doesn\u2019t go well, you\u2019re shutting off an avenue for support,\u201d said Murphy. \u201cI will say we\u2019ve established really strong relationships with the state attorney\u2019s office and with law enforcement.\u201d<\/p>\n
Patterson was arrested Tuesday and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon on a pregnant female, tampering with physical evidence, felon in possession of a firearm, shooting at within or into a building, possession of firearm during commission of felony, and two counts of child neglect.<\/p>\n
A pretrial detention hearing is set for Monday, December 1st. Patterson is currently being held without bond.<\/p>\n
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