Argument turns into shooting

By JAMAL THALJI
Published June 24, 2007

DADE CITY - It started as an argument, authorities say, then escalated into a brawl.

It ended with a charge of attempted murder.

Ritchie Lee Beasley, 35, was arrested on a charge of attempted homicide by Pasco sheriff's deputies on Friday evening.

But it could have ended much worse. A bullet struck John Peyton in the left leg, according to a sheriff's report, but another nearly hit him in the head.

Peyton, 40, was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

"They got into an argument that turned into a scuffle," said sheriff's spokesman Doug Tobin. "The next thing the victim knew, he was being shot at."

The yelling started on Lock Street about 5:42 p.m., according to the Sheriff's Office. Then came the pushing and shoving.

During the altercation, the report said, Beasley pulled out a pistol and beat Peyton with it. Then Beasley shot at Peyton twice. The first bullet put Peyton on the ground.

Then Beasley fired again, the report said, just missing Peyton's head.

Peyton identified "Rick" as his assailant, and the owner of a car wash. That would be Beasley Car Wash on 37330 Lock Street, the report said, where the shooting took place.

"We knew right off the bat who the suspect was in the case," Tobin said. The report said Beasley turned himself in to the Dade City Police Department.

Tobin could not say what the men were fighting about or what kind of gun was used.

Beasley, of 14631 Douglas Dr. in Dade City, was in the county jail on Saturday, held in lieu of $50,000 bail.

Jamal Thalji can be reached at thalji@sptimes.com or 727 869-6236.

[Last modified June 23, 2007, 22:03:13]