Elfers Man Charged with 2nd-Degree Murder

Mathew Santos, the man accused of shooting a 22-year-old in the head, has been charged with second degree murder.  

The shooting took place Saturday, June 8. Jerome Leake, the man Santos shot, died from his injuries Sunday afternoon.

The incident that led to Leake’s death started Saturday shortly after noon at Santos’ home at 5145 Tilson Drive in Elfers, according to a Pasco County Sheriff’s detective’s arrest report. Leake, of Port Richey, was there to visit Santos.

Santos told the detective he was in his bedroom holding his .380 semi-automatic pistol when Leake began asking for the gun. He told the detective he had been playing with the gun while Leake was there.

When Santos refused to hand the gun over, Leake reached for it. He failed to get the gun from Santos and they stepped back from one another, Santos told the detective.

Leake was about three or four feet away from Santos when Santos shot him in the head above the right ear. The bullet exited Leake’s head from the left side, the report said. 

Santos initially told deputies the shooting was an accident but later changed his story to say he was defending himself. He told the detective Leake was unarmed and that there had been no violence before the shooting.

Leake was taken to a hospital and declared brain dead, sheriff's deputies said. He was taken off life support the next day and pronounced dead.

Santos was arrested over the weekend and charged with aggravated battery. They added the second-degree murder charge Tuesday after Leake’s death.

Sabntos is a member of the Bounty Hunter Bloods gang, deputies say.