Pensacola man arrested after shooting man with air rifle ‘multiple times’: ECSO

Olivia Wilson and Summer Poole

13 mins ago

ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) – A Pensacola man was arrested after allegedly shooting a man “multiple times with a CO2-powered air rifle,” according to a police report.

Escambia County Sheriff’s Office officials arrested 41-year-old John Matthew Phillips on Sunday after speaking with the alleged victim and another person following the incident.

According to police reports, the unnamed victim told officers he had come to collect some belongings that were lying on the side of the road when Phillips “started shooting at him with a pellet gun.”

The victim said he was struck in the face, neck, arm and right shoulder blade during the incident. In the arrest report, the officer confirmed the victim’s injuries, writing, “While speaking with (the victim), I noticed he was bleeding from a cut on his forehead between his eyes. I also noticed injuries to his right forearm, left side of his neck and right shoulder blade on his back.”

After officers spoke with the victim, they spoke with another unnamed person who told them he saw Phillips “pick up a gun” before going outside and firing 10 to 15 times.

After speaking with the victim and an unnamed witness, officers arrested Phillips and booked him into the Escambia County Jail on a charge of aggravated assault.

According to jail records, Phillips is being held on $35,000 bail.