A family dispute over a Florida home of a woman who moved into an assisted living facility left two people dead, and another wounded, according to police.
An investigation found that as several members of the family prepared to arrive in Florida for a vacation, a male relative who didn’t have permission to be there was asked to leave, Boca Raton police said in a news release on social media.
A female family member arrived first and was killed at some point thereafter, police said.
Two other relatives, a man, and a woman, then arrived on Sunday and texted the woman’s phone when they couldn’t get inside. They got a text back saying the side door was unlocked and were attacked as they entered the home, police said.
The woman was shot in the head but managed to flee to a neighbor’s house for help, police said.
Investigators say the man with her fled when the gunman appeared to be distracted by the firearm.
The Boca Raton Police SWAT Team and the Boca Raton Police Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) responded to the scene. Crisis negotiators were unable to contact the suspect or victim.
The SWAT team made entry and found the bodies of the first man and woman inside. Investigators believe the man fatally shot the woman and fired at the other two relatives before taking his own life, police said.
The woman was being treated for her head wound. The other male relative was not injured, according to police.
Authorities haven’t released any identifying details, citing Marsy’s Law.
Neighbors say the house has often been unoccupied since the homeowner moved into an assisted living facility.
“Her son has stayed there, fixing the house and cleaning it up,” neighbor Daniel Cunningham told the South Florida SunSentinel. “Her family comes and visits once in a while.”
The motive remains under investigation. If you have information, please contact Detective George Reilly at (561) 544-8660.
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