Five people were killed in two murder-suicide events in just 24 hours this week, compelling Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson on Wednesday to urge community members to reach out if they’re in a domestic violence situation.
The first call to dispatchers came in after 1 a.m. Tuesday morning. A woman was on the phone with dispatchers when her boyfriend fatally shot her and then turned the gun on himself at a home on Majestic Palm Street in Pace, Johnson said. The couple had a previous domestic dispute resulting in physical harm to the woman in May of 2024, but she dropped all charges against her abuser. She did not have an active domestic violence injunction against her abuser when she was killed.
Roughly 18 hours later at a home on Cypress Point Circle in Navarre, Johnson said a 52-year-old man fatally shot his parents before turning the gun on himself. A family member discovered his parents with gunshot wounds in the dining room and his brother – who had been living with their parents − nearby, also with a fatal gunshot wound.
Child injured in murder-suicide: SRSO: Garcon Point father shot wife multiple times during murder-suicide in front of kids
“We really have to get the word out that you can get some help if you’re in a domestic violence situation and you feel it’s hopeless,” Johnson said. “We can break the cycle if you will let us. If we get the call, we can help you.”
Johnson said none of the people killed this week were on the department’s radar.
The two murder-suicides come off the heels of another murder-suicide in the county on Oct. 25 in a home on Meadow Wood Lane in which a man killed his girlfriend before killing himself. The couple were found by a concerned co-worker who went to the home when she couldn’t reach them.
SRSO: Man and women dead after murder-suicide in Navarre home
On June 9, there was yet another murder-suicide when 41-year-old Michael Delmar fatally shot his wife Katie before taking his own life while their three children were in the house.
One of the three children − aged 13, 8 and 4 − were hospitalized after being stuck by a bullet. Law enforcement said at the time the child suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Bob Johnson advocates awareness of how to get help in time of need
During the press conference, Johnson said it can be urgent to reach out to authorities if you’re experiencing abuse, even if the violence isn’t physical.
“For the love of God, please call if you feel you’re in a situation where you’re experiencing domestic violence,” Johnson said. “When I say domestic violence, I’m not just talking about getting beat up. There’s other forms of domestic violence.”
Even if you’re afraid of the repercussions of trying to get help, Johnson warned victims that if you don’t reach out then the situation could “get much worse.”
“Please reach out to us, because we’ll help you break that cycle,” Johnson said.
If you’re experiencing domestic abuse, help is available. You can reach the Florida Domestic Abuse Hotline at 800-500-1119 or the Florida Abuse Hotline at 800-962-2873. You can also reach the SRSO’s victim advocate supervisor at 850-983-1145. If you’re in need of shelter, you can reach the Favor House domestic violence shelter at 850-626-5600.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Santa Rosa murder-suicides leave 5 dead in 24 hours
