Tragedy turns into miracle: Florida man shoots his 8-month-pregnant girlfriend, woman and fetus survive after emergency procedure; all you need to know about the ‘story of survival’

A shocking incident occurred in Florida, where a man allegedly shot his pregnant girlfriend. The man, identified as Eric Patterson, was arrested, and the victim, whose name was not released publicly, was rushed to a hospital in Brandon, and she reportedly survived.

According to a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office statement, the suspect’s pregnant girlfriend and her unborn child survived being shot in both of their abdomens. The victim was dropped off at the hospital on Saturday, November 22, the statement further informed.

Bullet passed through the abdomen.

In a court document accessed by PEOPLE, authorities alleged that the bullet "passed through the abdomen of the woman, who was about eight months pregnant, and the abdomen of the unborn child."

The sheriff's office, in its statement, had said that police were quick enough to identify Patterson, 44, as a suspect. He was arrested on Tuesday (November 25, 2025). PEOPLE also obtained a pre-trial motion in which authorities alleged that Patterson shot his girlfriend as she slept in bed.

What did the couple’s 9-year-old daughter tell police?

The couple share four children. PEOPLE reported that their 9-year-old daughter told police that she woke up to a loud "bang" and saw the suspect apologizing to her mom, repeatedly saying, “I'm sorry, it was an accident,” as the woman held her stomach and cried.

A surveillance video near their residence caught the couple exiting their apartment as the woman held her stomach.

Woman, child saved through emergency procedure

Briefing about the situation of the pregnant woman and her unborn baby, the court document revealed that an emergency procedure was performed and the baby was removed from her womb. The bullet was also removed from the baby's abdomen in a separate surgery.

“What could have ended as a heartbreaking tragedy is now a miracle story of survival and resilience,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in the department's press statement.


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Chronister praised the courage and "strength in the face of this tragedy" shown by the woman and her child, saying, "It is truly extraordinary that both the mother and her newborn baby survived," he added, commending the mother and child's

Patterson faces charges

Patterson is facing multiple charges, including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon on a pregnant female, tampering with physical evidence, child neglect, and possessing a firearm as a felon, according to Hillsborough County officials.