- April 19, 2024
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A Palm Coast man allegedly shot his girlfriend in the ear during an argument on the night of Saturday, June 23, according to a charging affidavit by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
The victim, a 46-year-old woman, told deputies that she was sitting in a recliner in the living room of the couples’ home on Shady Lane while she and her boyfriend, George Christopher Virgin, 65, argued about Virgin’s son. At some point, the victim ordered Chinese food from the Great Wall. Virgin was upset at the price being too high. Virgin allegedly hit his girlfriend in the face twice.
She added that “this was a normal thing he would do when they argued,” according to the report.
The victim called the Great Wall again to sort out the pricing issue. While making the call, she noticed Virgin standing in front of her with a gun pointed at her face. The victim tried to smack the gun away from her face, and while doing so, she was shot in the ear by Virgin.
She didn’t realize what had happened until she saw blood coming down her side. She asked Virgin to call 911 several times before he finally did. She was treated at Florida Hospital Flagler and released the next morning.
Virgin gave deputies a different story.
He said he was sleeping when the victim woke him up by moving the bed and leaving the room. He told deputies the victim returned to the living room and began speaking loudly about Virgin’s son. He said she was sitting in a recliner waving his Smith and Wesson .357 revolver in her right hand and making statements about shooting Virgin’s son should her return home later that evening.
When Virgin confronted the victim, he said she pointed the gun at him, so he tried to grab the firearm and, in doing so, “the firearm accidentally discharged and resulted in [the victim] being injured,” according to the affidavit.
Virgin told deputies that he keeps his gun under his pillow for self-defense and that the victim suffers from limited mobility, necessitating the use of crutches to move around.
Virgin amended his initial statement, including changing the hand the victim was holding the gun with, following further questioning by law enforcement.
A FHF physician discredited Virgin’s account.
“When considering the totality of the circumstances, it would appear to be physically impossible for the bullet to travel on the discerned bullet trajectory based upon any of the statements provided by [Virgin],” according to the report.
Virgin was charged with domestic battery and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He remains at the Flagler County jail on a $42,500 bond.
