The Pinellas County Sheriff’s detectives arrested a 19-year-old suspect, Charles Tenpenny, for shooting his pregnant girlfriend on July 18, and falsely reporting a home invasion.
Officials say, through the duration of their investigation, they learned that Tenpenny had tried to commit suicide at a residence in Dunedin on Friday, July 20. Detectives and deputies responded to the home and made contact with Tenpenny after friends stopped him from hanging himself.
Tenpenny told detectives that he was distraught over accidentally shooting his pregnant girlfriend, 18-year-old Naomi Rosado.
Detectives interviewed Tenpenny who said that on July 18, he and Rosado, who is 20 weeks pregnant, were in their home at 1144 New York Ave. in Dunedin, when they had a heated argument over a Facebook friend request the 18-year-old had received.
Tenpenny then admitted to pointing a loaded 9mm Glock handgun with a laser sight at his girlfriend while she was on the couch.
Tenpenny claimed that he was turning off the laser sight on the loaded handgun when it accidentally went off. Detectives say a single round went through Rosado’s hand and struck her in the eye.
The suspect then told detectives he was scared so he threw the handgun and the ammunition casing over the backyard fence into a wooded area. Detectives returned to Tenpenny’s home on New York Avenue and recovered the Glock handgun .
Tenpenny then called 911 and tried giving Rosado first-aid.
When the deputies arrived, the suspect lied and told investigators that an unidentified man dressed in all black shot Rosado and fled on foot.
Tenpenny was reported to be dealing in illegal drugs and claimed he always has a gun on him for protection.
Detectives arrested Tenpenny and transported him to the Pinellas County Jail without incident.
Tenpenny was charged with one count of aggravated assault and one count of false report of a crime. Tenpenny was also Baker Acted and will receive a mental health evaluation.
The reports say Rosado was in critical but stable condition at a local hospital.
Source: ABC Action News, Spectrum News
Photo Source: ABC Action News
