Santa Rosa Sheriff Bob Johnson brought a message to the forefront today at a news conference following two separate murder-suicides yesterday.
“For the love of God, please call if you are in any kind of situation where you feel you need help with domestic violence,” Johnson said.
Tuesday began for deputies with a murder-suicide at 1:15 a.m. at a home on Majestic Palm Street in Pace, when a boyfriend killed his girlfriend while she was on the phone with an emergency dispatcher. He then killed himself. Johnson said there was an active domestic violence injunction in place against the boyfriend.
Later that evening at 7:39 p.m., deputies responded to another murder-suicide, this time on Cypress Point Circle in the Hidden Creek subdivision of Holley by the Sea in Navarre. Johnson said a son, age 52, shot and killed his mother and father, and then himself.
Johnson said two murder-suicides in one day has never happened since he joined the department in 1993.
And since June it is the fourth such case, beginning with a home on Adrian Way in Milton. A husband killed his wife and then himself and, in the process, wounded a child on scene, who was struck by a bullet.
Later in October, deputies responded to Meadow Wood Lane in Navarre, because a body was seen laying on the floor not moving. When deputies entered, they found two people dead. A boyfriend killed his girlfriend and then himself.
Johnson has no idea why the murder-suicide rate has gone up this year. But he does know it is senseless that nine people are dead from these four instances.
“You can get help if you are in a domestic violence situation,” Johnson urged. “When you feel it is hopeless and there is nothing to help you and your family, that is not true. We can help you if you let us.”
If you or someone you know is involved in a domestic violence situation, the Sheriff’s Office wants you to have resources to get help. The department has at the ready Victim Advocates. They can be reached by calling: Supervisor 850-983-1145, Navarre/Gulf Breeze 850-981-2245, Pace/Jay 850-983-1242 and Milton 850-981-2244.
Other resources for help include:
- Florida Domestic Hotline: 800-500-1119
- Florida Abuse Hotline: 800-962-2873
- Crime Victim Compensation – Florida State Attorney – 850-595-6067
- Santa Rosa County Clerk of Court: 850-981-5552
- Domestic Violence Shelter – Favor House: 850-626-5600
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 800-273-8255 (TALK) or Text HOME to 741741
- Suicide Crisis Lifeline (24/7) dial 988
