A horrific case of domestic violence in Hillsborough County nearly turned fatal for a pregnant mother and her unborn child, but both are alive in what deputies are calling a “miracle.”
The investigation began early November 22, 2025, when Brandon Regional Hospital staff notified the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office around 5:17 a.m. A pregnant woman had been rushed to the ER with a gunshot wound to her abdomen—then the man who drove her there immediately fled.
Detectives soon identified him as 44-year-old Eric Patterson, a convicted felon with 15 prior felony charges.
According to HCSO, the woman—eight months pregnant—was sleeping in bed with two of her children when Patterson allegedly shot her, with the bullet also striking her unborn baby.
Doctors performed an emergency delivery, and the newborn was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital for surgery. Despite the severity of the injuries, both mother and baby survived.
“What could have ended as a heartbreaking tragedy is now a miracle story of survival and resilience,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “It is truly extraordinary that both the mother and her newborn baby survived.”
Deputies located Patterson on November 25 and arrested him. He now faces a range of felony charges, including:
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Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon on a Pregnant Female
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Shooting Into an Occupied Building
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Felon in Possession of a Firearm
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Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
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Tampering with Physical Evidence
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Two counts of Child Neglect
Chronister praised the work of investigators, saying, “Their strength in the face of this tragedy is a powerful reminder of why we remain committed to protecting every family in our community.”