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Charles Wade Huffman switched off the power to his neighbor’s home in order to lure her outside so he could try to murder her, deputies say. (Mug shot: Seminole County Sheriff’s Office)
Dog-related “ongoing issues” between neighbors escalated to one of them attempting murder, say deputies in Seminole County, Florida. The defendant, Charles Wade Huffman, 59, switched off the power to the victim’s house in order to lure her outside so he could shoot her, authorities claim.
He allegedly opened fire twice, grazing her once, according to documents obtained by Law&Crime.
Deputies responded Friday at approximately 4:51 p.m. regarding a shooting on Harney Heights Road in the community of Geneva. They encountered a woman who said that Huffman had given her his dog three weeks before.
“There have been ongoing issues regarding the dog since,” deputies wrote without elaborating.
Law&Crime asked for more information on how things got so bad between the neighbors; sheriff’s Public Information Administrator Bob Kealing told us that they are still investigating.
According to documents, the woman said she woke up from a nap Friday afternoon to find that the power to her home had been turned off. She went outside to turn it back on and returned home, only for her power to shut off again right after she stepped inside. She looked out a window to see Huffman’s other dog pass in front of her home, the affidavit stated. According to authorities, it was the defendant who switched off the neighbor’s external breaker both times.
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Fearing that Huffman was outside her house, the woman grabbed her gun and went outside to find him standing in front of her home, authorities wrote. The defendant allegedly held a grey revolver, both his hands extended in front of him with the gun pointed at her.
The woman demanded he leave or she would shoot him. Instead, Huffman allegedly opened fire. She said it grazed her neck, passed over her left shoulder and pierced her front window. She rushed back home, firing a shot at Huffman, though she was unsure where the round ended up.
Huffman allegedly fired a second time, hitting her front door. The woman called 911. Huffman left; she assumed it was back to his home.
Deputies who took a picture of her injury said it was consistent with a bullet graze.
According to documents, law enforcement surrounded Huffman’s home for hours before he stepped out and surrendered without incident. He declined to speak post-Miranda, they said.
Huffman is charged with attempted murder in the first degree, property damage – criminal mischief of over $200 and under $1,000, and weapon offense missile into a dwelling. He remains held without bond at the Seminole County Jail. His arraignment is scheduled for Dec. 5.
