LEESBURG, Fla. — The case of a Leesburg man accused of murder has escalated dramatically after a grand jury indictment. Matthew Lee Pasco, 43, faces charges of first-degree murder and unlawful possession of a firearm after allegedly shooting dog owner Shawn Cyriacks during a confrontation that unfolded near a homeless encampment.
The fatal incident occurred on April 17, when deputies initially responded to an emergency call regarding a woman being attacked by dogs in the area of 1904 Griffin Road. The situation quickly escalated, as the dispatcher heard the chaos unfold, ultimately leading to a report of gunfire. Cyriacks, 36, was taken to Leesburg Regional Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead around 8:30 a.m.
According to law enforcement, Pasco had been residing in a tent nearby with his wife. A female witness reported that she had spent the night in Pasco’s tent and awoke to the sounds of a commotion outside. She recounted that Pasco armed himself with a black pistol before confronting Cyriacks, who attempted to intervene and protect his dogs. Witnesses stated that Cyriacks raised his hands in a gesture of peace, assuring Pasco that he meant no harm.
Authorities allege the confrontation was intense and heated, with Pasco reportedly threatening Cyriacks, saying he could die if he interfered. Eyewitness accounts indicate that when Cyriacks challenged Pasco, he was shot in the chest without making any threats or hostile gestures.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Pasco fled the scene on a gray bicycle. A search operation ensued, involving drones, K-9 units, and law enforcement officers canvassing the area. The incident caused nearby Carver Middle School to go into lockdown, creating significant concern among local residents.
Pasco was apprehended shortly after the shooting and later indicted by the Lake County grand jury, which found sufficient evidence to bring forward charges that allege Pasco acted with premeditated intent. The indictment also emphasizes that he is legally barred from possessing a firearm due to a previous felony conviction.
The timeline of the case has unfolded rapidly, with Pasco being identified as a person of interest almost immediately after the shooting and then captured by police. The state attorney’s office formally announced the indictment on April 25, weeks after the incident occurred. He is currently being held without bond at the Lake County Detention Facility, with a scheduled court appearance set for May 18.
This case raises important legal questions, particularly concerning the nature of the confrontation. Investigators are now tasked with clearly establishing the facts surrounding the events that led to Cyriacks’ death, distinguishing between a defensive reaction to an animal attack and a premeditated act of violence. As the legal proceedings continue, Pasco is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The unsettling nature of this incident has left the local community reeling. Witness reports and the specifics of the incident contribute to a complex narrative about self-defense and the tragic outcome that unfolded in a normally quiet area of Leesburg.