A Florida man has been arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder and child abuse after allegedly shooting his girlfriend and then running her over with his SUV, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. The incident occurred Tuesday night in Safe Harbor, Florida, after the couple reportedly had an argument.
Deputies identified the suspect as Christopher "Dodge" Smith, 40, and the victim as Jessica Antolini, 30. Witnesses told investigators that Smith appeared to be "hunting" Antolini down at a bar and looked "possessed" before the confrontation. The argument escalated across the street from the bar, where Smith allegedly shot Antolini in the face.
Following the shooting, Smith is accused of driving his SUV over the victim and then speeding away from the scene with his 5-year-old child in the car. The child was unharmed, but Antolini was critically injured and remains hospitalized.
Multiple 911 calls from witnesses reporting the shooting and providing details about Smith's vehicle led deputies to his SUV. Smith did not pull over when deputies attempted to stop him, initiating a brief pursuit. A deputy performed a PIT maneuver, immobilizing Smith's vehicle, and he was taken into custody.
Smith is currently being held without bond in the Pinellas County jail on the attempted murder charge. The child who was in the vehicle has been reunited with family.