A Florida man shot and killed his spouse and wounded their 5-year-old daughter, who was left parentless after he then took his personal life, police mentioned.
The mom had returned from work to her gated Land O’Lakes group round 8:15 p.m. on Tuesday when her husband — who had been positioned on a restraining order from his household — ran as much as her and the kid and opened fireplace, Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco told reporters.
The baby ran inside and was adopted by her father, police mentioned. The mom, who was pronounced lifeless on the scene, was left within the entrance yard because the babysitter known as 911.
When deputies arrived on the dwelling, the kid got here outdoors and police observed she had a gunshot wound to her arm. It’s not clear if she was an meant goal.
“She’s a tough little girl,” Nocco mentioned.
The lady informed responding officers, “My daddy is upstairs. He’s inside the master bathroom, and I heard a bang,” in response to Nocco.
When police went inside, they discovered her father lifeless from an obvious self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The lady was taken to a neighborhood hospital the place she is recovering from her accidents, police mentioned.
The identities of these concerned haven’t but been launched.
“Tonight, we’re dealing with a tragedy where a 5-year-old little girl no longer has a mother or father,” Nocco mentioned. “This child is gonna have to carry this for the rest of her life. Anytime you talk about the Christmas season, she’s gonna remember this horrific time.”
The sheriff mentioned the lady’s husband was arrested for felony home battery in August and the lady had sought an injunction for defense.