VERO BEACH — A man is in jail after he allegedly fired a gun at his ex-girlfriend’s head and missed her by approximately 7-inches.
Gene Francis, 47, was arrested on charges of felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and misdemeanor possession or use of firearm while under the influence of alcohol or chemicals, according to authorities.
The incident occurred around 8 p.m. on Friday at the victim’s residence in the 1600 block of 31st Avenue in Vero Beach when Francis threatened he would kill the victim if she did not hand over her new boyfriend’s phone number, according to Vero Beach Police.
Francis then pointed a handgun at the victim’s head and said “you know there’s one in the chamber.” The victim replied, “no there’s not,” according to the report.
The defendant then fired the gun at the victim’s head from about 6-feet away and missed, according to the arrest affidavit. Francis immediately took the victim’s cell phone to prevent her from calling authorities. He told the victim if she called the police he would kill her, their pet dog, and then himself, according to the report. Two hours later, Francis fell asleep on the couch.
While Francis was sleeping, the victim unloaded the firearm and called police to report the shooting.
Police responded and found Francis asleep with a firearm located nearby on an end table. They recovered a 9mm firearm, two magazines, a single spent bullet and a single bullet casing in the residence.
The victim told authorities Francis consumed approximately eight beers and half of a bottle of Fireball whisky that evening.
Francis told police he does not remember how the firearm got to the end table. Later, he said “ok, well maybe I fired the gun by accident,” according to the report.
The crime took place at a home in Vero Beach where the victim says she still lives with Francis. Francis has a registered address in the 400 block of 15th Lane SW, Vero Beach, according to his booking report.
Francis is being held in the Indian River County Jail in lieu of $55,000 bond.