Apparent car burglary ends in victim being shot

PACE, Fla. (WALA) - The Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office is investigating a shooting that happened Monday morning, December 24 in Pace.

For Bud Tipton, this Christmas Eve morning began with him literally fighting for his life.

Tipton said he awoke in his Pembrook Place home around 5 a. m. on Dec. 24 to his dogs barking and a noise in his truck.

“There was a guy sitting in there. That's when me and him got in a tussle, and he choked me to the ground. I kicked him, hit him on his temple and got him off me,” said Tipton.

Tipton said once he fought off the first attacker by his truck, he turned to run towards his home. That's when he was met by a second attacker who put a gun to his chest.

“He had the gun right to my chest. I pushed it down and it went off and hit my leg. He went to scramble out of the drive way and turned around and shot my hand,” Tipton said.

Tipton said he crawled back to his front door, all with this bullet wound in his leg and part of his finger shattered.

Cameron Capps, Tipton’s son in law, heard the scuffle and ran to help.

“I came to the door and he was holding his leg and his finger was just pouring blood everywhere. I asked if he was ok and he told me to call the police," said Capps.

Tipton’s family got him to the hospital while the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office scoured the area for suspects.

Tipton was released just hours after being shot, in pain but feeling lucky.

“I mean he could have pulled the trigger and got me in the chest if I hadn’t have fought him. It was pure adrenaline that saved my life,” Tipton said.

Tipton said he plans to add night vision cameras to his property for protection.

If you have any information on the crime, contact the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office or the Santa Rosa County Crime Stoppers.