Attempted homicide suspect: “I shot at the vehicle because it drove by so many times.”
BY JENNIFER CABRERA
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Paul Pacheco, 53, was arrested yesterday and charged with three counts of attempted homicide, two counts of animal cruelty, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon after he allegedly shot at a passing car.
At about 4:00 p.m. yesterday, a Valrico woman was driving in the 800 block of NW 11th Avenue, looking for her cat, when her car was struck with multiple rounds of gunfire. A second adult was in the back seat with a newborn infant, and there were seven cats in the car. Four rounds reportedly hit the car, and a window shattered, causing injuries from the glass that sent the driver to the hospital. Two of the cats were shot; one died, and one was seriously injured.
Gainesville Police Department officers made contact with Pacheco at his home, where he reportedly spontaneously stated, “I shot at the vehicle because it drove by so many times.”
A search incident to arrest reportedly produced a 9mm handgun in Pacheco’s pocket.
Pacheco has four felony convictions, with the most recent in 2021, and he has a pending felony case for driving without a valid license as a habitual offender. Judge Thomas Jaworski set bail at $1,610,000.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
He looks like Marla from “A League of Their Own.” With longer hair.
If he could shoot more accurately he could get rid of some of the feral cats in our neighborhood, at a minum the tree rats. The cat nip program sucks.
Looks like all he’ll be shooting now is the bull or baskets.
Public service announcement- Don’t do meth!
I agree people should make it known why they’re driving around over and over. She could have been one of “them” for all he knew
Also where is Valrico and would her missing cat be that far away?
Cats nipped…and more… 🐈
Can’t spell homeowner without meOWW!!!
Why the hell didn’t his landlord do a background check? Was it due to the city’s new Soros-inspired criminal welcome mat housing policy?
There are several daycare centers near there, plus schools and homes. If the city caused this, the victims should sue City Hall.
His felony is driving on a suspended license. And drug charge was pot. He’s actually a very nice person. Not a “meth head” long term seizure disorder.
looks like an artificial invented religion cult member . MAGA
All 4 of his felonies are for driving on a suspended license? No? Then what are the others?
Still a convicted felon. Not allowed to own gun. Obviously his judgement is not all there. At least Judge Tommy set a decent bail for once.
I worked with him in early 90s at lord munchies pizza and his brother very nice guys but he looks rough i think meth is a hell of a drug making him someone is out to get him
No one’s out to get him now, the police got him.
If the folks in the car were armed with AK’s they could’ve fired back and defended themselves. This is a perfect example why everyone should be armed at all times. Even mounted weapons on cars should be legal for this type of thing.
This is the father of my children. He had a manic episode. I’m not sure why, but he is the nicest guy he would help anyone always. This is not him. He has had a grand mal seizure disorder for 26 years and he has very little brain capacity.  He definitely would not have shot at a mother with a child. I’ve never known him to fire a gun in the last 32 years I’ve known him. Unfortunately, there is very little help for him, and I think he was just in a paranoid State of mind.  it does not excuse what he did. I’m just hoping this brings awareness to other people in the same situation.