PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a murder-suicide that left a man and woman dead Tuesday night.
According to Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco, the couple’s 5-year-old daughter is recovering after also being shot.
Deputies responded to calls about a shooting at a home on Marchmont Boulevard in Land O’ Lakes just after 8 p.m.
What You Need To Know
- Man, woman dead after murder-suicide Tuesday night in Land O’ Lakes
- Couple’s 5-year-old daughter also was injured in the shooting but is recovering
- Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco said the woman had taken legal steps in the past against her husband to stay safe
The child’s babysitter told deputies she was leaving when the man shot the woman outside the home, then took his daughter inside, authorities said. The woman was taken to an area hospital, where she later died, authorities said.
When deputies arrived at the house, the child came out of the house after hearing the deputies outside. Deputies said they found the man dead inside the house of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The girl was taken to an area hospital with a gunshot wound to the arm and is expected to recover. Officials said the child will receive help from the sheriff’s office’s victim advocate resources.
There was a history of domestic violence in the family, and the woman had taken legal action in the past against her husband, Nocco said.
“This is the sad tragedy that goes on in the domestic violence situations in our community,” Nocco said. “And every community. This is what we’re very scared about going into this holiday season. With everything going on in our country, the economy, the stresses going on. Social media. We’re seeing the mental health calls escalating. We’re also scared because we know domestic violence calls go up during the holiday season.”
“So we’re asking everyone out there, if you’re in a stressful situation, to please calm down. Don’t allow tragedies like this to occur.”
