HUDSON, Florida — A 25-year-old Port Richey man was charged with attempted murder after deputies say he shot a former employee over money.
Brent Eshelby Jr. was charged with attempted felony murder/homicide.
Deputies responded May 27 to a residence off Lilly Lane in Hudson and talked to a witness who had been inside with the victim. The witness told deputies she had heard someone walking around the woods outside the small travel trailer.
According to an arrest report, the witness told deputies the victim walked outside to see who was there and then the witness heard what sounded like gunshots.
The witness told deputies she heard the victim scream to call 911 and saw a man walking around the trailer wearing a partial mask below his nose. The arrest report said the man was holding what appeared to be a small caliber rifle.
Deputies said the victim was taken to the hospital and treated for multiple gunshot wounds, including four to his abdomen, one on his elbow and one near his knee. The arrest report said the victim had internal injuries to his liver, colon and diaphragm and had to have his spleen removed.
An emergency room nurse told deputies the bullets couldn't be removed.
Deputies later interviewed the victim, who said he instantly recognized Eshelby and asked him what he was doing on his property, the arrest report said. The victim said Eshelby didn't respond but fired multiple shots at him.
According to the arrest report, the victim said he previously worked with Eshelby and Eshelby owed him money. The victim told deputies he had been calling and texting Eshelby "multiple times trying to get the defendant to pay him his wages."
Deputies said the "argumentative" conversations happened between the victim and Eshelby's wife.
The sheriff's office said Eshelby admitted he owed money to the victim for working on his shrimp boat.
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