Search For Missing Pit Bull Leads To Shooting Death In Fort Meade

FORT MEADE, FL – Polk County Sheriff's Deputy Grady Judd has released additional details about why a 40-year-old Fort Meade man opened fire on three neighbors, killing one and injuring the other two.

According to Judd, the shooting occurred at 6:42 p.m. Monday, June 18 when three men who live at 121 3rd St. S.W. said they began knocking on neighbors' doors in search of their dog.

When they knocked on the door of the home belonging to Charles Peddycoart at 413 3rd St. S.W., an argument broke out. Peddycourt reportedly retrieved a gun and shot all three men on the front porch.

Witnesses aid 30-year-old Calvin Johnson was heard yelling at Peddycoart and his girlfriend about Johnson's missing dog. Johnson repeatedly accused the couple of stealing his pit bull.

According to investigators, earlier that day, the couple walked to a nearby Dollar General store, and a pit bull began following them. They tried to shoo the dog away but it continued to follow. When they left the store, the dog was no longer around. The couple then returned to their house.

Later, Johnson approached Peddycoart's girlfriend and asked if she'd seen a couple walking a dog. She told him "no," but then realized he might have been referring to a dog following them to the store so she went to where Johnson had parked his car during his search and explained what had happened.

She told investigators that Johnson became irate with her because the couple hadn't attempted to find the dog's owner. She explained that the dog had no collar or tags so there was no way they could trace the owner.

She said Johnson sped away but returned to her home a short time later with 18-year-old Edward Burgess and 30-year-old Teconsa McDonald. All three were standing on Peddycoart's front porch when Johnson began yelling, accusing them of stealing his dog and making threats.

About five neighbors walked out to see what was happening and saw the confrontation. Peddycoart told the men he had a gun and ordered them to leave. Johnson replied, "I don't care about that gun," and continued to argue with Peddycoart.

That's when Peddycoart retrieved his gun and shot at the men. McDonald died at the scene. Johnson and Burgess were transported to an area hospital for surgery for gunshot wounds to the torso.

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