Santa Rosa murder-suicides leave five dead in 24 hours

In two cases, five people died murder-suicide events in just 24 hours this week, forcing Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson on Wednesday to urge community members to reach out if they find themselves in a domestic violence situation.

The first call to dispatchers came in after 1 a.m. on 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 previously had a domestic dispute in May 2024 that left the woman with physical injuries, but she dropped all charges against her abuser. She did not have an active ban on domestic violence against her abuser when she was murdered.

About 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 lived with their parents – nearby, also with a fatal gunshot wound.

“We really need to make it clear that you can get help if you’re in a domestic violence situation and you feel like it’s hopeless,” Johnson said. “We can break the cycle if you let us. If we get a call, we can help you.”

Johnson said none of the people killed this week were on the department’s radar.

The two murder-suicides follow another murder-suicide in the province on October 25 at a home on Meadow Wood Lane where a man killed his girlfriend before killing himself. The couple was found by a concerned colleague who went to the house when she could not reach them.

That was the case on June 9 another murder-suicide when 41-year-old Michael Delmar fatally shot his wife Katie before killing himself while their three children were in the home.

One of the three children – aged 13, 8 and 4 – was hospitalized after being hit by a bullet. Police said the child suffered non-life-threatening injuries at the time.

Bob Johnson advocates for awareness of how to get help in times of need

During the press conference, Johnson said it can be urgent to contact authorities if you experience abuse, even if the violence is not physical.

“For God’s sake, please call if you are in a situation where you are experiencing domestic violence,” Johnson said. “When I say domestic violence, I’m not just talking about being beaten up. There are other forms of domestic violence too.”

Even if you fear the consequences of trying to get help, Johnson warned victims that if you don’t reach out the situation could get “much worse.”

“Please reach out to us as we will help you break that cycle,” Johnson said.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, 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 Victim Advocate Supervisor at 850-983-1145. If you need shelter, you can reach Favor House’s Domestic Violence Shelter at 850-626-5600.