GIFFORD — A Gifford man has been arrested for allegedly firing three shots at the mother of his children early Thursday morning, according to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
Around midnight, deputies responded to a possible aggravated assault, according to authorities. When they arrived on the scene they met with the victim, and she told them that the father of her child, Aukeayaquiztal Dillard, 35, began cussing at her so she walked away.
Dillard then threw a beer bottle in her direction, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The victim then quickened her pace. When she looked back, Dillard removed what appeared to be a gun from his pocket, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The victim said she saw the flash of gunfire and heard the gun fire three times, according to authorities. Deputies were able to contact Dillard through a phone call and asked him to “present himself to a deputy,” which he did.
Dillard agreed to answer questions after he was read his rights, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Dillard stated he had gotten into an argument with the victim, and when she walked away he threw the beer bottle in her direction but did not intend to hit her. He further stated that he was in possession of a .38 caliber pistol and fired it in the victim’s direction to scare her.
Dillard faces charges of assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and discharging a firearm in public, according to the affidavit.
Dillard is currently being held at the Indian River County Jail on $15,000 bond.
