Florida girl, 11, killed by neighbor in dispute over dog; suspect shot dead
07/07/2020 11:11 am PDT
via WPTV:
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (WPTV) -- Investigators said a man and girl, approximately 11 years old, were shot and killed by their neighbor at a home in the 2500 block of SE Morningside Boulevard on Monday. The neighbor was later found dead inside residence.
According to Port St. Lucie Police, the violence started with a dispute over the gunman's dog. Earlier in the day, the animal had been declared dangerous in court.
“The dog was declared dangerous today in court, and he owned the dog and he went over there to confront his neighbors and this is what happened," police said Monday.
"They all came home from court and then the suspect armed himself and went to the victims' house," St. Lucie County Sheriff Ken Mascara said at a news conference on Monday.
Police said officers and deputies entered the home on Monday and exchanged gunfire with the shooter. An officer was shot in the arm and another needed medical treatment, but both are expected to recover. A SWAT Team later discovered the alleged shooter dead inside the house, according to police.
The 11-year-old girl was critically injured and later died at a hospital, Treasure Coast News reports.
“When the call came out ... the caller said there's someone in our house and shooting my parents,” Sheriff Mascara said.
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