Deputies: Key Largo Man Savagely Beats Wife Before Shootout With Cops
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- A Key Largo man is in jail Wednesday night, accused of beating his wife so severely with a shotgun he broke the gun on her, before leading authorities on a chase that ended with an injured deputy.
Monroe County Sheriff's deputies were called to a home on Buttonwood Drive in Key Largo Tuesday evening after reports of gun shots.
"I heard somebody screaming. They were fighting," said neighbor Margarito Diaz.
When deputies arrived at the home, they saw a man, later identified as 57-year old Robert Schminky. They also found his wife, Honour, covered in blood in the front yard. Investigators said her arm, wrist, and ribs were broken. She was beaten so badly with a shotgun, the stock on the gun broke. She later told police she believes her husband would have killed her if not for deputies arriving at the home.
As deputies took cover they ordered Schminky to drop the weapon. The deputies said they heard two shots and saw the muzzle flash as Schminky fired the gun into the ground.
"I heard the gunshots and I freaked out," said Diaz. "I saw the guy trying to run away. The police say 'stop, stop' and the guy he go, I was scared."
Before they could stop him, Schminky got into a Lexus and fled northbound.
The deputies and Florida State Troopers gave chase. A gun battle ensued between the cars traveling at high speed. Deputies said Schminky fired at least a dozen rounds at them.
"This was a dangerous situation," said Monroe County Sheriff's Captain Don Fanelli. "He was actually firing through his windshield, out the windshield at the officers."
On at least two occasions Schminky allegedly stopped and fired at officers.
"These rounds could have have landed potentially anywhere and endangered not only the police officers but people in their homes sleeping," said Fanelli.
At one point during the chase, the sheriff's office says Schminky rammed his car into an FHP cruiser in the parking lot of the Circle K store on U.S.1 and Reef Drive.
"A customer came in and said 'Hey you know I had to duck down because they're shooting out there'," said Circle K clerk Roger Goldtrap. "She was scared, said 'I had to duck down. They're shooting out there.'"
Schminky took off again and drove to a church near mile marker 105. Investigators said Schminky tried to make a run for it.
"The suspect began to run. He threw the firearm down and we were able to capture him. He gave up," said Fanelli.
The sheriff's office said Sgt. Sydney Whitehouse sustained bruising on his leg from a possible graze from a bullet. Trooper Christy Gracie was treated for a gash on her arm she received when Schminky allegedly slammed into her cruiser.
Deputies discovered Schminky's girlfriend alive in their home. He had broken both of her arms, according to the sheriff's office.
Schminky is facing a number of charges including three counts of attempted first degree murder of a law enforcement officer.
