KGUN 9News

Actions

Deputies: Man head-butts wife, pushes mother-in-law and fires gun into kitchen floor during argument

Posted at 8:15 AM, Oct 16, 2017
and last updated 2017-10-16 12:11:31-04

Pasco County deputies arrested and charged a Spring Hill, Florida man with aggravated assault after he reportedly head-butted his wife, pushed his 81-year-old mother-in-law, and fired his gun into the kitchen floor after an argument. 

Deputies say John James Whitlock, 48, was reportedly arguing with his wife about her 81-year-old mother. Whitlock was angry because his wife wanted him to go to bed and get off the computer. He got angry and began to yell. He became more upset because his mother-in-law's bedroom door was open.

According to deputies, he approached his mother-in-law aggressively while she was sitting on her bed in the bedroom. His wife stepped in between the two so nothing physical would happen. 

Whitlock then head-butted his wife in the nose, causing swelling and a slight bleed.

He then pushed his 81-year-old mother-in-law causing her to fall into her headboard and nightstand where she hit the back of her head, according to the arrest affidavit.

Deputies say that Whitlock went into his bedroom and retrieved his .25 ACP handgun. He went back towards his wife and mother-in-law and stated, "I will shoot you both," as he pointed the gun at them.

He then proceeded to fire the gun into the kitchen floor, while the two victims were inside the residence. 

After he was arrested, Whitlock told deputies that he made contact with his wife and shot the weapon out of anger. He claims he did not push or touch his mother-in-law and that he did not point the gun at anyone. 

Whitlock was arrested and transported to the Land O' Lakes Detention Center where he is being held on $10,000 bond for the shooting and no bond for two counts of domestic aggravated assault.