By: Richard L. Smith
Authorities in Orange are investigating a domestic incident that escalated into gunfire Sunday afternoon, leaving a family pet dead and two individuals facing charges.
According to preliminary information, officers were dispatched around 4:42 p.m. on March 1, to an apartment in the 500 block of Central Avenue following reports of a shooting inside the residence.
Reports said the incident began as a verbal dispute between a husband and wife.
During the argument, the woman’s service dog, described as a pitbull, reportedly went into protective mode and bit the husband twice.
The husband then retrieved a 9mm handgun and fired multiple rounds at the dog, fatally wounding the animal inside the apartment.
The woman was not physically injured during the confrontation.
The couple’s adult son reportedly contacted authorities to report the incident. When officers arrived, they determined that the son was also in possession of a separate firearm which police believe was not discharged.
During a search of the residence, officers located multiple spent shell casings and one live round in a bedroom.
Police also recovered a .45 caliber firearm, high-capacity magazines, and additional ammunition from inside the home.
Both the husband and the adult son were taken into custody at the scene and transported to Orange Police Headquarters, where they were charged in connection with the incident.
Officials have not released details on the specific charges at this time.
The investigation remains ongoing.