A Florida woman faces charges after allegedly fatally shooting her two former husbands on Wednesday.
Deputies in Manatee County apprehended Susan Avalon following a call to a residence in Bradenton, where they discovered a 54-year-old man with gunshot injuries. Although he was transported to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries, he managed to inform investigators prior to his death that someone had shot him upon answering his door, suspecting it to be his ex-wife.
The incident occurred while the victim’s 15-year-old daughter, who is also Avalon’s biological child, was present in the house. Although she did not witness the shooting, she did hear the gunfire and observed a silver Honda Odyssey leaving the scene.
Investigators found that the assailant had previously stolen food from Panera Bread and brought it to the Bradenton residence, opening fire as soon as the door was answered.
“This is as bold as it gets,” remarked Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells. “It happened in a highly active neighborhood at 3 PM on a Wednesday, with children returning from school and plenty of activity around. She appeared unfazed by any of it.”
Wells further explained that Avalon and the victim had been divorced for 11 years, during which time she had accrued a debt of several thousand dollars in child support. Additionally, Avalon is known to drive a silver Honda Odyssey. Deputies who visited the nearby Panera Bread witnessed Avalon taking food before departing the scene.
Investigators got her license tag and tracked her traveling over the Sunshine Skyway and into Citrus County. When they arrived at her home, Wells said, they saw her come out with bleach and rags and begin to wipe down her van. They approached and told her they were there to speak to her about her ex-husband — and she asked “which one?”
“We only know of one,” Wells said. “She starts to make comments that he’s a child abuser. He’s a molester. Just talking about all these problems she’s had with this ex-husband. She thinks we’re there from Hillsborough County. She thinks my detectives are Hillsborough County detectives. Detectives are trying to figure out exactly what she’s talking about.”
Wells said they contacted the Tampa Police Department and sent them to the other ex-husband’s home. He didn’t answer the door, but deputies there entered when they found damage to the rear door. They found the man, who Avalon married after the Manatee County victim, shot to death inside.
“She’s got beef with both these ex-husbands,” Wells said. ” … We don’t know why yesterday was the day she decided to take this action.”
Wells said investigators believe Avalon killed the man in Tampa first and then went to Panera, took the food, and went to the other man’s home.
Manatee County officials have charged her with murder, and Wells said she will also face charges in Tampa.
“We believe she knew what she was doing,” Wells said. “It was planned.”
Wells said Avalon was not speaking with detectives. Tampa Police have not yet announced charges against Avalon.
