Woman Accidentally Goes to Wrong House, Resident Shoots at Her 17 Times — and Then Explains Why: Police

A man in Florida was arrested on attempted murder charges after allegedly shooting at a woman who mistakenly entered his property. The incident took place in Palm Bay, about 75 miles southeast of Orlando. Roman Rawicki, 50, faced charges of attempted murder, false imprisonment, criminal mischief, battery, and discharging a firearm on a residential property, as reported by the Palm Bay Police Department. The woman, identified as TP, had been following an acquaintance home for the first time when she got lost and ended up at Rawicki’s residence.

According to the arrest affidavit, the woman realised her mistake upon reaching Rawicki’s home and attempted to leave. However, Rawicki allegedly grabbed her arm and wrist, restraining her against her will by forcefully holding her arm behind her back. The woman managed to call for help, and as the acquaintance, identified as WP, rushed to her aid, Rawicki reportedly threw her to the ground and fired multiple shots in their direction as they got into the woman’s vehicle. The vehicle was hit several times as a result of the gunfire, with 17 shell casings found in front of the residence.

Rawicki claimed to the police that he mistook the woman for a prostitute and attacked her out of fear for his wife’s safety. However, video footage retrieved by the authorities showed the woman approaching the residence in a non-threatening manner before the altercation. Rawicki later called 911 to confess to being the shooter, mentioning that he had a “no soliciting” sign and acknowledging that the woman had mistakenly arrived at his house.

The physical altercation left the woman with bruises on her arm and wrist, and her bracelet was broken off. Additionally, her vehicle suffered damage, including a flat tire, as a result of the shooting incident. Rawicki was subsequently released on bond but was ordered not to have any contact with the two individuals involved in the altercation and prohibited from possessing firearms, weapons, or ammunition. Despite efforts to reach Rawicki for a statement, neither he nor his attorney provided any immediate response to the requests.

The case highlights the serious consequences of mistaken identity and the extreme actions that can result from misunderstandings. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of remaining calm and handling such situations with care and caution to avoid escalation and potential harm to individuals involved. Authorities continue to investigate the matter to ensure justice is served and to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.