Tampa Daily Press

NEW PORT RICHEY (Fla.) — Pasco County authorities are looking for a man who they believe broke into a house and shot a woman in New Port Richey.

According to the sheriff’s Office, the shooting took place in the Menifee Court area around 12:45 on Tuesday.

A woman of adult age was lying on a couch in her front room when she heard someone knock at her door. Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco stated that a man knocked on her door and pointed a gun at the woman when she stood up.

Nocco stated that the man moved into a bedroom, where he was sleeping with two children under twelve years of age. The man pointed a gun at her and she reportedly responded by saying “don’t kill me”.

According to Nocco, the man shot one at the woman and she fell to the ground. The sheriff said that he then fired another round at the woman and then walked out of the apartment.

First responders responded quickly and provided assistance to the woman, before she was taken to the hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.

According to deputies, the man was wearing dark clothes and a black skull-mask. His height is estimated to be around 5’10 with a substantial build.

Nocco stated that investigators suspect this was a targeted attack because the man appeared to be familiar with the layout of the house. It is unclear what the man’s relationship with the woman was.

According to the sheriff’s office, it will provide mental health counseling for the children and the woman who was at home at the time of shooting.

“I can picture these young children trick-or-treating last night. They went to bed a bit later than the rest of the children last night. To be woken by this…to have someone suspect, you can walk in and turn on the light to shoot the person who is in bed with you. It’s horrible. Nocco stated, “That’s all I can think of.”

Anybody with information is requested to call the PCSO Crime Tips Line at 1-800-706-2488, or to submit tips online.