A 15-year-old teenager is in critical condition after being shot in the abdomen by a Plant City man, police say.
The Plant City Police Department received a call at 11:42 p.m. Monday, Dec. 26, about a shooting in the 1700 block of Charles Avenue. Upon arrival, first responders discovered a 15-year-old Hispanic male with a gunshot wound to his abdomen. Plant City Fire Rescue treated the victim, who was then taken to an area hospital.
After an on-scene investigation, authorities determined that the 15-year-old was shot by Ricardo Gonzales, 42, who was arrested Tuesday, Dec. 27.
According to police, Gonzales assaulted the victim's mother, 32-year-old April Masias, by verbally threatening her and placing a gun to her head.
After Gonzales fired one round into the ground, the teen victim entered the room and confronted Gonzales for assaulting his mother. Gonzales struck the victim in the head with the gun and later fired one round into the teen's abdomen.
Gonzales is being held at the Orient Road Jail. He was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, as well as aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated child abuse.
The arrest is Gonzales' twelfth, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. His arrests first date back to 2005, when he was arrested for driving under the influence. Further prior convictions include disorderly intoxication, contempt of court and petit theft.
He was most recently arrested in early November for driving without a valid license.
This story will be updated as more details are released.