Man shoots dog owner dead during dispute over attack

A Florida man is facing a first-degree murder charge after police say he shot and killed a dog owner during a confrontation at a homeless camp while dogs were attacking a woman.

Authorities say 43-year-old Matthew Lee Pasco is accused of killing Shawn Cyriacks in Leesburg, a city in the Orlando area. Deputies with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office were called to a campsite in the 1900 block of Griffin Road on Friday after reports that a woman had been bitten by several dogs.

While a 911 call was still in progress, chaos reportedly broke out in the background, including screaming followed by the sound of a gunshot. The dispatcher asked what was happening, and the caller responded that someone had been shot.

When deputies arrived, they found Cyriacks with a gunshot wound. He was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators spoke with a woman who had been staying in Pasco’s tent. She said the group woke up after one of their friends was attacked by dogs. According to her account, Pasco went outside to check on the situation, then came back saying he intended to kill the dogs. That statement led to a dispute between him and Cyriacks, who owned the animals.

Investigators say Pasco made threatening remarks during the argument, including saying that if Cyriacks got in the way, he could die as well. Cyriacks allegedly tried to stop him from harming the dogs and told him he would not shoot them. Pasco then reportedly responded by asking whether Cyriacks thought he would not also shoot him.

Authorities say Pasco, who was armed with a handgun equipped with a laser sight, then shot Cyriacks in the chest during the confrontation.

He is also reported to have been heard on the 911 call saying he was going to kill “it,” according to investigators.

Police say Cyriacks did not threaten Pasco and that the shooting happened during a heated verbal dispute. After the incident, Pasco left the area but was arrested on Sunday.

He is currently being held in the Lake County Jail without bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 18.

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