Women and dog shot - Altamonte Springs, FL

Thursday, Apr 30, 2009

County: Seminole

Charges: Felony CTA, Felony Non-CTA
Disposition: Convicted

Defendant/Suspect: Shannon Burke

Case Updates: 3 update(s) available

Authorities say a central Florida radio talk show host shot and injured his wife and dog.

The Seminole County Sheriff's Office reports that Shannon Burke, 43, was at his Altamonte Springs home Thursday night when he fired a shot that went through his dog's leg and then grazed his wife.

Burke, who hosts his own show on Real Radio 104.1, told deputies that he had become angry with the animal and began waiving around the gun, which he thought was unloaded.

Burke's wife was taken an Orlando hospital, and the dog was taken to an emergency vet clinic.

Burke was being held $10,000 bail. A judge also ordered him not to contact his wife or go within 1,500 feet of their home.

Case Updates

A central Florida radio host accused of shooting his wife while aiming at her dog will spend another 60 days in jail. An Orange County judge ruled Friday afternoon that 44-year-old Shannon Burke violated his probation on an earlier alcohol-related reckless-driving incident. Burke began serving a 6-month sentence at the Seminole County Jail earlier this month. The new sentence will begin immediately after his current sentence. Burke pleaded guilty in November to animal cruelty and firing a gun in a building. Authorities say Burke was at his Altamonte Springs home in April when he fired a shot that went through the dog's leg and then grazed his wife. Burke had hosted a call-in show for Real Radio 104.1 FM but was fired immediately after the shooting.

Source: Northwest Florida Daily News - Jan 17, 2010 Update posted on Jan 17, 2010 - 8:37PM

After a celebratory goodbye meal with family and friends last night, radio personality Shannon Burke surrendered Thursday at the Seminole County Jail and began a six-month sentence. Burke, 44, of Altamonte Springs pleaded guilty last month to animal cruelty and opening fire in a building. In a fit of rage April 30, he shot his wife's dog in their bedroom, and the bullet also grazed the right side of her head. Cathy Burke and her dog have both recovered. Shannon Burke called the shooting an accident, but he pleaded guilty to both felonies on Nov. 20, agreeing that he'd report to jail by Dec. 31. He, his wife and a group of friends arrived at the jail about 12:10 p.m. Thursday. He talked to reporters, embraced his wife and prayed with friends then walked into the locked-down section of the jail at 12:30 p.m. He had a Bible in his hand. He was in good spirits and said serving jail time was something he had to do. "This is part of the deal, you know," Burke said before walking into the building. "It's the last leg of the debacle. I'm actually looking forward to getting in and getting it over with." Burke said he plans to attend or start an Alcoholics Anonymous group at the jail and mentor inmates with substance abuse problems. Since the shooting, he has undergone intensive treatment for alcohol abuse, and at a court hearing earlier this month, acknowledged that he is also bi-polar. "One of the best parts of my recovery has been working with other addicts," he said Thursday. "That's my calling, man." Burke was a mainstay on Real Radio 104.1 FM, hosting a call-in show but was fired immediately after the shooting. The past three months he has broadcast a Saturday show on substance abuse on a small Altamonte Springs AM station. "I'll be back on the air," he said outside the jail. He would not give specifics. "I've got a couple of options."

Source: Palm Beach Post - Jan 2, 2010 Update posted on Jan 2, 2010 - 5:27PM

Former radio personality Shannon Burke late this afternoon walked out of the Seminole County Jail. Earlier in the day, a judge authorized his release, provided he posted $25,000 bail, gets psychological help and stays away from drugs, alcohol, guns and his wife. Burke, 44, had been at the jail since May 6. He was arrested May 1, accused of grabbing his wife's dog in a fit of rage in their bedroom and shooting it. The bullet wounded the dog's back leg then hit Burke's wife, leaving a long shallow groove along the right side of her head. She was temporarily hospitalized. Shannon Burke told authorities he was playing with his .40-caliber handgun when it went off. He was in court this morning in handcuffs and ankle chains, asking a judge to free him. Before the 10-minute hearing began, attorneys for both sides had already worked out their terms: He must post $25,000 bail. He must wear an ankle strap so a satellite can track his whereabouts. He must get a psychological evaluation, and, if the psychologist recommends it, check into a month-long drug rehabilitation program that also treats underlying psychological problems. He also must stay away from his wife, the home near Altamonte Springs where she was wounded, and he must stay away from guns, drugs and alcohol. Burke said little at the hearing. "You understand the stipulation?" asked Circuit Judge Marlene Alva. "Yes, your honor," he said. Prosecutors yesterday officially filed charges against Burke for the shooting the night of April 30. He's charged with shooting into an occupied dwelling, animal cruelty and violating the terms of his pre-trial release. The maximum possible penalty: 21 years in prison. His attorney, Mark O'Mara, entered Burke's plea: not guilty. Catherine Burke, 48, the scar still visible, was at today's hearing but said nothing. Burke was arrested the night of the shooting. He was released two days later on $10,000 bond but was ordered to stay away from his wife. He was re-arrested days later after he sent a friend to the couple's house to retrieve belongings. A judge ruled that Burke had violated an order that he have no contact with his wife and that he stay away from their home. Another complicating matter is probation. Burke is serving 12 months of probation because of an alcohol-related driving arrest in Orange County in 2007. His probation officer now says he's violated the terms of his probation by committing a new crime: the shooting. Burke was fired by Real Radio 104.1-FM, WTKS, shortly after his arrest. O'Mara said he was not sure what Burke would do for a living now. "I'm just glad he's getting out so he can get some help," O'Mara said.

Source: Orlando Sentinel - May 27, 2009 Update posted on May 28, 2009 - 12:32AM

References

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