Man Charged In Escambia Shooting

June 26, 2011

An Escambia County man is charged with aggravated assault after a Saturday afternoon shooting.

The shooting occurred after a verbal altercation between two men became physical. It was not clear as to what the argument was about, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies identified the suspect as 24-year-old Cordario Angel McDuffie (pictured left). He was arrested about an hour after the shooting a few blocks from the scene.

At around 2:50 p.m. Escambia County sheriff’s deputies responded to the shooting in the 6600 block of Hampton Road in the Wedgewood community. They were told that a victim had suffered a gunshot wound to the head.

“Deputies found the victim in a bedroom,” said sheriff’s office spokesman Deputy Chris Welborn. “He had been shot in the head but was alert and conscious.”

The victim was identified as Charles Hilton, 34, of Pensacola. He was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital by ambulance in stable condition.

During the investigation witnesses provided deputies with the suspect’s identity and said McDuffie had fled the residence on foot. Deputies began to search for McDuffie, still considered to be armed, using K-9’s and the sheriff’s office air unit.

A K-9 unit tracked to a house on the same street the shooting occurred.

“A man standing outside the house told deputies that the suspect jumped a fence,” said Welborn. “But the K-9 tracked right back to that house and the suspect was found inside hiding under a mattress.”

The man that tried to mislead deputies was identified as Ronald Curley Copeland (pictured left), 34, of Pensacola. It was determined that he allowed McDuffie to enter the residence through a window, and hide under the mattress. Copeland was arrested for obstructing justice.

McDuffie was arrested without incident and charged with aggravated assault. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.

Comments

4 Responses to “Man Charged In Escambia Shooting”

  1. billy on June 26th, 2011 10:14 pm

    ha……check their records………..they never do anything to them…….never………record as long as your arm……….nice to dream tho

  2. Just Is on June 26th, 2011 2:53 pm

    I thank NorthEscambia.com for publishing the photos of suspects. The other print newspaper/online local rarely publishes pictures of criminals. I also hope the one charged with obstruction will also be charged with harboring a fugitive.

  3. David Huie Green on June 26th, 2011 9:47 am

    REGARDING:
    “What about a charge of attempted murder with a firearm??? ”

    they can amend charges later if have further proof and decide it’s appropriate. This is one they figure will stick right now since they don’t have to prove he intended to kill.

    David considering reasons

  4. yeah right!!! on June 26th, 2011 3:37 am

    What about a charge of attempted murder with a firearm??? Seems to me that would be a more appropriate charge when someone’s shot in the head.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News