LEESBURG, Fla. – A grand jury has indicted Matthew Pasco, 43, of Leesburg, on a first-degree murder charge in connection with the fatal shooting of Shawn Cyriacks, 36, the Office of State Attorney Bill Gladson for the Fifth Judicial Circuit announced.
The grand jury returned a true bill of indictment charging Pasco with first-degree murder with a firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Prosecutors say Pasco shot and killed Cyriacks on or about April 17, 2026.
Pasco is being held at the Lake County Detention Facility on no bond.
ORIGINAL STORY
A Lake County man is behind bars on a murder charge after Leesburg police said he shot and killed a dog owner while trying to shoot an attacking dog near a homeless camp.
Matthew Pasco, 43, was booked into the Lake County Jail on Sunday night.
The shooting occurred in the area of 1904 Griffin Rd.
According to the sheriff’s office, the incident began when a female victim was attacked by a dog near a homeless camp. Pasco allegedly attempted to shoot the dog, but instead struck the dog’s owner.
Pasco fled the scene but was located and arrested on Saturday. He is currently being held without bond.
The gunshot victim was transported to a hospital, where he later died. The dog bite victim was also transported to a hospital and is currently being treated for several bites, deputies said.
A dog also died in the incident, and another was injured.
According to Lake County Public Schools, Carver Middle School was on lockdown due to the search, but has since been dismissed.
Neighbors in the area say they could feel the intensity of the response.
“I know you said you saw the helicopter — I also heard the gunshot.” A nearby homeowner, whose daughter attends the school, described the uncertainty in the moments after the gunfire.
“Just hearing the shot — you don’t know where it’s coming from. It could be over here or over there.”