Two Florida deputies, who were in a romantic relationship, were found dead of a suspected murder-suicide inside a vacation rental home in St. Augustine, Florida after they were heard arguing late into the evening on Saturday.
The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office is investigating Saturday night’s shooting as a murder-suicide.
A preliminary investigation revealed that Hillsborough Sheriff’s Office Detective Daniel Leyden shot and killed his romantic partner before turning the gun on himself, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
He was the sole shooter, authorities said.
Leyden worked in the Criminal Investigations Division.
The victim, whose name has not been released, is also a deputy, and was assigned to Uniform Patrol District III.
The shooting happened around 10 p.m. Saturday night at a vacation rental in the 5300 block of A1A South in St. Augustine, Florida.
Scene of a murder-suicide investigation in St. Augustine where two Florida deputies, who were in a romantic relationship, were found dead in this vacation rental home on Saturday night after they were heard arguing
The sheriff’s office said other deputies on vacation with the couple heard them arguing from a bedroom at the St. Augustine rental followed by gunshots
The sheriff’s office said other deputies on vacation with the couple heard them arguing from a bedroom at the St. Augustine rental followed by gunshots.
The motive is still under investigation, by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office.
Officials said this was an isolated incident and there is no danger or threat to the public.
‘Our Sheriff’s Office family is still reeling from the shock of this unthinkable tragedy,’ Sheriff Chad Chronister said. ‘My prayers for strength and comfort are with the families and loved ones of these deputies, and every member of Team HCSO affected by this painful loss.
The HCSO Peer Support Team is in touch with immediate colleagues of both deputies involved and available as a resource to all workers.
‘Violence is never a solution, and I urge any employee who is dealing with a crisis to take advantage of the many resources our agency has created over the past several years which include Peer Support, Chaplains, and a clinical psychologist,’ the sheriff added.
‘Help is just a phone call away.’
Officials said Saturday night’s shooting was an isolated incident and there is no danger or threat to the public
Source: dailymail
