CLEARWATER, FL – The tranquil early-morning hours in a Clearwater neighborhood erupted into tragedy when a woman allegedly shot her boyfriend to death, then attempted to erase the evidence before deputies arrived, authorities said.
Pinellas County deputies were called to a residence on Illinois Road just after 1 a.m. on August 19 after a neighbor reported loud noises and a woman shouting about having a gun. Upon arrival, deputies encountered Amanda Tenney, 38, who answered the door, appearing as though she had recently showered. Officers noticed blood on her face, legs, and feet, as well as bloody footprints inside the house.
Inside a bedroom, deputies found Patrick Denney, 60, dead from an apparent gunshot wound to the head. Investigators recovered a .45 caliber Smith & Wesson pistol from another area of the home. Officials say Tenney is a convicted felon, making her possession of a firearm illegal.
According to the sheriff’s office, Tenney told investigators she picked up a gun and brought it to the backyard but denied firing the weapon. Deputies discovered additional evidence of gunfire, including bullet holes in a neighbor’s fence and window, and retrieved a bullet from inside the neighbor’s home.
Tenney was initially detained on charges including possession of a firearm by a felon and shooting into a dwelling. By Tuesday, authorities had added a first-degree murder charge. Authorities have not disclosed any potential motives related to the incident.
Neighbors say the sounds of gunshots prompted immediate concern early that morning, while the presence of law enforcement in the normally quiet neighborhood left residents unsettled.
Tenney remains held at the Pinellas County Jail and has entered a plea of not guilty to all charges. Court records indicate she has a prior felony conviction, which bars her from legally owning or handling firearms in the state of Florida.
Patrick Denney, the victim, was known locally as the owner of Missouri Collision and Paint, an automotive business in Clearwater. Loved ones described him as someone who cherished time with his dogs, enjoyed racing sports cars, fishing offshore, and offering assistance to those around him.
The Denney investigation is ongoing, with detectives continuing to examine evidence from the scene. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office has not released additional details regarding what may have led to the fatal shooting.