Charlotte County law‑enforcement officials arrested Dwight Washington White, 44, on Oct. 25 after multiple 911 calls reported gunfire from a residence on the 500 block of Orange Street. Deputies arrived just before 5 p.m., heard the shots, and issued a short shelter‑in‑place directive for nearby homes.
Rapid police response
While securing the area, deputies spotted an unarmed man matching the caller’s description in the back of a patrol cruiser. Witnesses identified the individual as White, saying he had been shouting in his backyard before aiming the semi‑automatic rifle at them and pulling the trigger.
No one was injured. Detectives from the Major Case Unit later found several bullet holes in the exterior of a home on Kellstadt Street and in the rear door of a nearby vehicle. Spent shell casings were scattered across White’s yard, and investigators recovered the rifle and a magazine from the laundry room of his house.
Felon status and prior conviction
Records show White is a convicted felon with a 2005 first‑degree attempted‑murder conviction in Miami‑Dade County. He also failed to register as a felon after moving to Charlotte County, a violation that contributed to the charges he now faces.
Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell said, “It angers me that this dangerous man was living in our community and did not register himself. I am thankful that nobody was hurt by his violent outbursts, but that doesn’t change the fact that an entire neighborhood was put in fear because of his actions. There is no excuse for it, and it will not be tolerated.” The sheriff also praised the deputies who ran toward the gunfire, noting their actions “may have saved lives.”
Charges and custody
White is charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and failure to register as a convicted felon. He is being held without bond at the Charlotte County Jail.
The incident underscores the importance of strict enforcement of felon‑in‑possession laws and the vigilance of local law‑enforcement officers in protecting neighborhoods from unlawful gun use.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
