Sarasota, Florida -- Sarasota Police have made an arrest in the shooting of a man in which he was bayflighted to a local hospital on March 5. His shooter, they say, was his own son.
Police say Steven B. Phelps was shot two times by his son, 19-year-old Steven R. Phelps, in the 1500 block of 22nd Street on the morning of March 5.
Steven B. told investigators his son rode up on a bike and pointed a black semi-automatic handgun at him and shot at him three or four times, but missed.
Steven B. said at that point he thought his son was just trying to scare him, so he turned and started to walk away. That's when he said his son rode up closer and shot him in the back.
Then, while Steven B. was lying on the ground, he said his son rode up even closer and looked as if he was aiming his next shot at his head. Steven B. said he moved away quickly causing his son to miss his head and hit him the back shoulder area instead.
During the shooting, Sarasota Police officers happened to be in the area and heard the shots. They arrived within minutes and found Steven B. bleeding from his back and shoulder area. He was airlifted to Blake Medical Center.
Officers were able to retrieve shell casings from the scene. Sarasota Police officers and sheriff's office deputies arrested Steven R. Phelps Tuesday, March 12 in the 1300 block of 21st Street with the help of the U.S. Marshal's Service and Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force. He has been charged with attempted murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.