Hudson Man Accused Of Shooting Flare Gun At Carjacking Victim

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — A Hudson man is facing multiple charges after Pasco County Sheriff's deputies said he stole a car after shooting the owner with a flare gun.

Deputies said William Gonzalez, 33, of U.S. 19 was arrested Monday following a series of offenses that began Sunday afternoon when a senior New Port Richey man was backing his Mercedes sedan out of his driveway on Trouble Creek Road when he said Gonzalez approached the car. As the driver got out of the Mercedes to speak with Gonzalez, Gonzalez fired a flare gun at his feet, said deputies.

The driver and Gonzalez began to tussle. When Gonzalez appeared subdued, the driver got back into the car and continued to back out of his driveway when Gonzalez reloaded the flare gun and shot it through the driver-side window, hitting the driver in the ear and causing serious burns.

Gonzalez then pulled the driver from the driver's seat, got behind the wheel and drove away. Gonzalez was spotted by deputies at Floramar Terrace and U.S. 19. They began pursuing the Mercedes, which struck three vehicles and a mailbox before crashing at 6727 Trouble Creek Road.

One woman was taken to the hospital with injuries after Gonzalez struck her Nissan Rogue.

Gonzalez was arrested at the crash scene and deputies discovered he was also wanted for a burglary at a New Port Richey home in which he took a kayak, according to deputies.

He was charged with burglary, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, armed carjacking and fleeing to elude. He's being held at the Land O' Lakes Detention Center on a $5,000 bond.