Investigators in Pasco County are calling the home where a 16-year-old girl was shot Thursday morning “a known drug house.”
“Make sure it’s very clear -- This was a drug house. This is absolutely a drug house. This is not a random house that was hit,” said Sheriff Chris Nocco.
It wasn’t the first time deputies had been to the home on Garfield Drive in Holiday. There was a home invasion there just five months ago.
But early Thursday morning, violence strikes again.
Three men burst in likely looking for drugs.
In the confusion, one of the people living in the home, fires a shot gun at the attackers.
But instead, he hit a 16-year-old girl who was visiting.
“The round hits her in the left arm shoulder area; she goes down,” said Sheriff Nocco.
She is in the hospital in a medically induced coma.
Two other teens, including the victim’s boyfriend, did not stay to help her. Instead, investigators said they ran off to hide their marijuana down the street.
“That was their first impulse. Not to save this child, but to get rid of their dope. So they took it to a secondary location,” said Sgt. Dean Quinlan.
Residents nearby woke up to deputies pounding at their door.
“I was shaking. I didn’t know what was going on. All I heard was banging; my dogs were going nuts. I was calling my parents,” said Briana Reed.
While deputies continue to search for whoever busted into the home, they arrested two adults who were inside, including Karen Clark.
She’s facing drug charges and three counts of child neglect.
The two teens that fled the home were also arrested.
“Well it’s still scary living three houses down, but I don’t feel as terrible as a random invasion,” said Reed.
The identity of the teen who was shot and is in a coma is not being released yet.
The 19-year-old who accidentally shot her was not charged, because investigators said he was shooting in self defense.
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