15-Time Felon Shot Pregnant Girlfriend, Causing Baby’s Early Delivery: Hillsborough Sheriff

BRANDON, FL — A 15-time convicted felon was arrested after shooting his pregnant girlfriend in the stomach, causing the early delivery of her baby on Saturday morning, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Eric Patterson, 44, was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon on a pregnant woman, tampering with physical evidence, felon in possession of a firearm, two counts of child neglect, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and shooting at, within or into a building.

Brandon Regional Hospital told the sheriff’s office that a pregnant woman with a gunshot wound to the stomach was dropped off at the emergency room just before 5:30 a.m.

Hospital staff told investigators that a man left immediately after bringing her to the hospital, the sheriff’s office said. He was later identified as Patterson.

Detectives learned that the victim, who was eight months pregnant, was sleeping in bed with two of her children when Patterson shot her in the stomach. The bullet also hit her unborn baby, the sheriff's office said.

The victim required emergency surgery, and her baby was delivered and later airlifted to Tampa General Hospital for surgery.

“What could have ended as a heartbreaking tragedy is now a miracle story of survival and resilience,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “Our 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.”

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