Former Cheerleader May Face Charges in FL Officer's Death
The girlfriend of a young man who killed Deputy Scott Pine during a car burglary could face charges under Florida's felony-murder law. Erica Shantell Pugh, 18, faces charges of grand theft auto and burglary, as well as aggravated assault and armed robbery.
Deputy Pine responded to the call of a vehicle theft and was investigating when he encountered Pugh and 28-year-old Benjamin Holtermann.
"Around midnight, our deputy encountered the suspect [Holtermann] and the suspect took off running. The deputy sheriff took off in pursuit in the area of Longmore Court and Westminster Abbey Boulevard," Orange County Undersheriff Rey Rivero told WESH News. "The deputy was hit and kept running. We called for help, shots fired, and right after that, another shot was heard.
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Pine was hit three times and may have survived had the third shot not been fired. The first two shots hit his protective vest, but the third was fatal. He never fired his weapon at Holtermann or Pugh and died in the line of duty.
"Soctt acted bravely and gave his life, making a difference so others could sleep safely," Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings added.
Police found Holtermann a bit later, dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Pugh was found inside the stolen car. She allegedly confessed to taking part in several car burglaries in the area and acting as a lookout for Holtermann during an armed robbery. Her family and friends are left wondering what could have led her to a life of crime.
"She had an unhappy childhood," friend Lacey Wagner told the Orlando Sentinel. "I never knew her to be troubled, but she was teased a lot. We taught her to defend herself, telling her, 'Don't you let people pick on you.' Oh, my God. Anybody who knows Erica know that's not Erica. She was always a nice girl. She was a good kid."
The Orange-Osceola State Attorney's Office has not said whether it will pursue murder charges against Pugh, but it could be very possible.
