Aggravated Battery Charges in Charlotte Dropped After Man Kills His Granddaughter

In May of 2025, prosecutors in Charlotte County dropped charges against a man who admitted to killing his granddaughter. Initially, the man was facing charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. After learning more about the situation, prosecutors felt it necessary to abandon the case entirely. Why did they make this decision? How can you experience similar results after facing charges of aggravated battery in Punta Gorda?

Domestic Dispute Turns Deadly in Charlotte County 

In March of 2025, police arrived at a Port Charlotte home to find a woman with a single gunshot wound in her chest. The person who called 911 was the woman’s grandfather, and he admitted to firing the shot while speaking with the dispatcher. The man and his wife explained that they had allowed this woman to live with them, and that they were trying to help her “get her life back on track.”

After the woman arrived from Texas, tensions arose in the house. The woman was struggling with bipolar disorder and frequently exhibited aggressive behavior. Although this behavior was usually verbal in nature, the situation became physical on the night of the incident.

The grandfather stated that at about 2:00 AM, he woke up to the noise of his granddaughter slamming doors and being loud. Instead of physically confronting the woman, he decided to return to his bedroom and lock the door. He told police that at this point, he feared for his safety and took out his handgun. The woman subsequently started banging on the bedroom door, and the defendant opened it.

At this point, some kind of physical confrontation occurred. ABC News reports that the woman began “swinging her arms” while rushing toward the man. While backpedaling, the defendant fired his handgun and struck the woman once in the chest.

Grandfather Admits There Was “No Deadly Threat” 

What makes this case interesting is the fact that the grandfather admitted that there was “no deadly threat” coming from the victim. He also claimed that he only intended to use the firearm to deter or scare his granddaughter. In other words, he implied that his use of the weapon was accidental. Under different circumstances, this type of admission could have made it difficult to claim self-defense. Even the accidental discharge of a weapon can lead to homicide charges in Florida.

Obviously, prosecutors saw things differently. It is not clear what motivated their decision to drop the charges, but it seems as though they concluded that this was simply a tragic accident.

Can a Charlotte County Defense Attorney Help Me? 

If you face charges of aggravated battery, you might want to get in touch with an experienced Fort Myers and Naples criminal defense attorney. These legal professionals may be able to help you communicate effectively with prosecutors and explain your situation. As we have seen, cases involving legitimate self-defense are often dropped by prosecutors. Speak with The Foley & Wilson Law Firm today to discuss your unique situation in more detail.

Sources:

 mysuncoast.com/2025/05/01/case-is-dropped-against-charlotte-man-who-shot-his-granddaughter/

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