POLK COUNTY, Florida (WFLA) – A Polk County father and son have been charged with attempted murder after they opened fire on an innocent woman they thought was trying to break into their home, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said Monday.
At a press conference Monday afternoon, Sheriff Judd described the shooting incident as something “you just can’t believe.”
The incident began around 7 a.m. Saturday when a man who lives in an apartment complex discovered a package on his doorstep that did not belong to him.
Judd said the man, “like a good Samaritan, like a good neighbor,” took the package to the correct address and hung it on the door.
The two suspects, later identified as 73-year-old Gino Colonacosta and his 15-year-old son, received a notification from their Ring video doorbell that a person was at their door.
Judd explained that the father and son believed their home was being broken into.
Judd said the 15-year-old grabbed a .45 caliber firearm and looked around his house. Soon after, “Gino not only picks up his firearm, he picks up his cane so he can walk,” Judd added.
The pair then went outside to look for what they believed to be a burglar when they allegedly encountered a woman sitting in a car about 100 meters from their home. Judd said the woman was reading messages on her phone, “minding her own business.”
When the woman looked up, she said she noticed Gino pointing a gun at her, demanding she get out of the car.
“She thinks she’s going to kidnap me, she’s going to rob me,” Judd said.
According to Judd, the woman quickly put the car into reverse as Gino and his son opened fire on the woman. Moments later, the woman shifted into drive and sped away.
Seven shots were fired, but the woman was never hit, Judd said. One of the bullets went through the child’s car seat and lodged in the driver’s seat.
Gino and his son were charged with attempted murder among other charges. Neither had a criminal record.
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