Eric Canonico
White male
Age at time: 42
Weapon: gun
Defendant photo: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
Case type:
Citizen enforcing the law
Location:
Girlfriend's Property
Initiator:
Victim
Witnesses:
Yes
Case year:
2010
Location details: Outside the home of shooter's girlfriend in Tampa, Hillsborough County, on May 01, 2010
What happened: Eric Canonico said he was defending his girlfriend's son from a group of teenagers when he forced them at gunpoint out of their car and onto their knees to wait for police. The teens, including Trey Holtz, son of USF football coach Skip Holtz, had showed up near the boy's house after he had received threatening text messages. Canonico fired a warning shot into the ground when one of the boys mouthed off.
The outcome: Canonico entered a pre-trial intervention program involving community service. At the end of that program, in Feb. 2012, the charges against Canonico were nolle prossed.
Case decision made by: Judge
Trayvon Martin’s death became controversial because circumstances leading up to the shooting cast doubt on who was to blame. The Tampa Bay Times reviewed other “stand your ground” cases for similar circumstances. The Times relied on available information, some of which may not tell the whole story. When the situation was unclear, that was noted.
| Yes | No | Unclear/ disputed |
|
|---|---|---|---|
Did the victim initiate the confrontation? |
 |
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Was the victim armed? |
|
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Was the victim committing a crime that led to the confrontation? |
|
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Did the defendant pursue the victim? |
|
||
Could the defendant have retreated to avoid the conflict? |
|
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Was the defendant on his or her property? |
|
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Did someone witness the attack? |
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Was there physical evidence? |
|
Source: Tampa Bay Times, Oct. 29, 2010.
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Case last updated: July 3, 2012
