Dunedin Man Charged In Shooting Of Pregnant Girlfriend

DUNEDIN, FL -- Pinellas County Sheriff’s detectives have arrested 19-year-old Charles Tenpenny for shooting his pregnant girlfriend on July 18, and falsely reporting a home invasion.

According to detectives, through the course of their investigation, they learned that Tenpenny had tried to commit suicide at a residence in Dunedin on Friday, July 20. Detectives and deputies responded to the home and made contact with Tenpenny after friends stopped him from hanging himself.

Tenpenny told detectives that he was distraught over accidentally shooting his pregnant girlfriend, 18-year-old Naomi Rosado. (See related story.)

Detectives interviewed Tenpenny who said that on July 18, he and Rosado, who is 20 weeks pregnant, were in their home at 1144 New York Ave. in Dunedin, when they had an argument over a Facebook friend request Naomi had received.

Tenpenny admitted to pointing a loaded 9mm Glock handgun with a laser sight at Rosado while she was on the couch.

Tenpenny claimed that he was turning off the laser sight on the handgun when the gun accidentally went off. Detectives say a single round went through Rosado's hand and struck her in the eye. He told detectives he was scared so he threw the handgun and the ammunition casing over the backyard fence into a wooded area.

Tenpenny then called 911 and tried rendering aid to Rosado.

When deputies arrived, Tenpenny lied and told investigators that an unidentified intruder dressed in all black shot Rosado and fled on foot.

Tenpenny admitted to dealing in illegal drugs and said he always has a gun on him for protection.

Detectives say they returned to Tenpenny's home on New York Avenue and recovered the Glock handgun.

Detectives arrested Tenpenny and transported him to the Pinellas County Jail without incident.

Tenpenny was charged with one count of aggravated assault and one count of false report of a crime. Tenpenny was also Baker Acted and will receive a mental health evaluation.

Detectives say Rosado remains in critical but stable condition at a local hospital.

Image via Pinellas Sheriff

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