On Thursday, August 1, 2024, a jury found 66-year-old Michael Regalski guilty on three counts of Attempted Second-Degree Murder with a Firearm, one count of Shooting at an Occupied Vehicle, and one count of Tampering with Physical Evidence. His sentencing hearing is set for September 19, 2024.
“The defendant’s actions were not only reckless but also a blatant disregard for human life,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “The evidence presented clearly demonstrated his intent to cause harm and to also try to cover his crime up. Justice has been rightly served with this verdict, and we hope the outcome brings some measure of relief to the victims and their families.”
The charges stem from an incident in April 2023, when Citrus County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a shooting. Upon arrival, officials found an adult victim and two juvenile victims on an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV). The victims reported hearing two loud noises while riding, causing them to stop, thinking the vehicle was malfunctioning. One of the juveniles then felt pain in their lower abdomen and discovered they were bleeding. The juvenile was stabilized by CCSO officials and first responders before being airlifted to a hospital for treatment.
CCSO’s Major Crimes Detective Roscoe Watts investigated the scene and contacted Regalski, whose home was located just south of the incident site. Regalski admitted to firing his Glock 40-caliber handgun at the ATV as it passed by his property, stating that he had prior issues with the vehicles passing loudly at all hours. After firing the gun, he secured it in his garage, showered, and then viewed and erased his home’s video surveillance footage of the incident.
Regalski was subsequently arrested and booked into the Lecanto Detention Facility. The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Kaitlyn Mannis and Blake Shore.
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