A deadly confrontation near a Leesburg homeless encampment left a dog owner dead, a woman injured by dog bites, and authorities searching for a suspect after gunfire erupted during an attempt to stop a dog attack. Law enforcement says the shooter ran off on foot, animal services took custody of dogs involved, and a nearby school was briefly locked down as investigators worked the scene. The community is shaken and officials are urging anyone with information to contact investigators rather than approach the suspect.
Deputies arrived early Friday morning to find a man suffering from gunshot wounds near a cluster of tents used by people without permanent housing. He was rushed to the hospital but did not survive his injuries. Neighbors and people in the area described a chaotic scene with first responders and investigators combing the ground for evidence.
Authorities have named a person of interest in the shooting as 43-year-old Matthew Lee Pasco, who is believed to be living in the local homeless community. Officers say Pasco fled the area on foot after the shots were fired and that he has a distinctive scar on the right side of his face. Law enforcement has been canvassing the area and following tips to track him down, while warning residents not to confront him directly.
“The dog owner stepped in between the dog and Pasco and was struck by the gunfire instead. “
According to investigators, the incident began when two dogs turned on a woman outside the encampment and she was bitten multiple times. Pasco allegedly intervened, firing at one of the animals during the scuffle. In the confusion that followed, the dog owner moved to protect the woman and was hit by a bullet, collapsing nearby as bystanders scrambled for cover.
The woman who was bitten was transported to a medical facility for treatment of numerous bite wounds and trauma. Nearby witnesses said the response was swift, with EMS and deputies securing the scene and attending to the injured. Animal control later reported that two dogs had been shot during the incident and that at least one of the animals died at the scene.
Neighbors described tense moments as deputies and medics worked amid tents and makeshift shelters, and officials decided to put Carver Middle School on lockdown while they secured the perimeter. The lockdown was a precaution while officers searched for the suspect and gathered statements from those present. Community members said the temporary restriction added to the anxiety already simmering in the neighborhood after the violence.
One local, identified by investigators as Leilei, told reporters the trouble began after a dispute over a dog being kicked, and the situation escalated when someone stepped in to defend the animal. She said her friend’s boyfriend tried to stop the attack and was shot during the altercation. Those remarks echoed the scene described by officers who arrived and found multiple people and animals injured.
Animal services took custody of more than one dog as part of the investigation into the attack and the gunfire. Officials said the animals would be evaluated for behavior and health while detectives worked to establish a clear timeline of events. The handling of the animals is tied to both public safety concerns and the ongoing criminal inquiry.
Police have appealed to anyone who saw the shooting or who knows Pasco’s whereabouts to come forward with information, stressing again that the public should not try to apprehend him. Investigators have been collecting photographs, video footage and witness accounts to build their case and locate the suspect. For now, the neighborhood remains on edge as officials continue their search and work to bring clarity to a violent, confusing morning.
