Police arrested a man accused of holding his girlfriend prisoner at gunpoint after the quick-thinking woman was able to slip a message to staff at a veterinary clinic.
Jeremy Floyd is alleged to have trapped his 28-year-old partner at their home in DeLand, Florida, for more than two days, physically preventing her from leaving the house.
The victim said her boyfriend had beaten her on Wednesday night and was wielding a handgun, which had later discharged inside the property as they struggled over it.
After spending all day on Thursday in bed due to a head injury, Volusia County Sheriff's Office said the woman convinced Floyd, 39, to let her take their dog to the vet on Friday.
He insisted on accompanying the victim to DeLand Animal Hospital, allegedly pointing a loaded firearm at her during the journey and threatening to kill her and her family.
At the clinic, the woman alerted employees to the situation by passing them a note that read: “Call the cops. My boyfriend is threatening me. He has a gun. Please don't let him know.”
Staff called law enforcement and police responded first, detaining convicted felon Floyd and seizing a handgun, before the sheriff’s deputies arrived on the scene and arrested the suspect.
The victim was taken to hospital, where she was treated for a head injury, a black eye and bruised arms.
She was later taken back to her home, where deputies said they found two bullet holes in the property’s hallway.
Floyd was charged with domestic violence, aggravated assault with a firearm, false imprisonment, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and simple battery.
He remains in custody at the Volusia County Branch Jail after he was refused bail.
