Hudson man awakened by gunfire calls 911; deputies storm home, find shootout on TV

A scary moment turned to relief this week for a Pasco County man who thought a gunfight was taking place in his home.

Alan Benz, 62, woke up to gunshots Tuesday at 1 a.m. in his Hudson home.

He grabbed his cell phone and revolver, got on the floor behind his bed and called 911.

He told dispatchers he heard yells of 'trash the place!' and gunshots from his living room.

Moments later when Pasco deputies surrounded the home and burst into the living room, they found the gun battle raging - on the television.

Earlier that night, Benz had been watching a documentary and had left the television and surround sound on when he went to sleep.

According to Bay News 9's partner newspaper the Tampa Bay Times, Benz felt bad about the false alarm. He also complimented the deputies on being professionals during the situation.