Business owners describe hearing gunshots when two people were killed in an apparent murder-suicide in Pompano Beach. NBC6’s Niko Clemmons reports
Authorities are investigating an apparent murder-suicide shooting in Pompano Beach that left a man and woman dead Thursday afternoon.
Broward Sheriff's Office officials said they received reports of a shooting in the area of Pier Street and Seabreeze Way, not far from the Pompano Beach Pier, around 12:20 p.m.
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When first responders arrived they found the man and woman suffering from gunshot wounds.
The woman was pronounced dead at the scene while the man was taken to a local hospital for treatment. He was later pronounced dead.
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BSO officials later said the shooting was an apparent murder-suicide.
Footage from the scene showed the woman's body lying in the street covered by a yellow tarp surrounded by a pool of blood.
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Jimmy Veliz, who works at Cannoli Kitchen Pizza, was at work when he said he heard several gunshots.
“Pow, pow, pow, pow,” Veliz said. “My initial reaction was make sure the door was locked.”
He saw people running, and when he came outside, he saw the bodies.
“Crazy, how can you describe it, mental, mental, mental,” Veliz said. “I was shocked, I've never seen that.”
Employees at a nearby BurgerFi said the couple had been eating on the patio and there were no signs of arguing or trouble.
“Not at all, if there was I would’ve probably done something. But I didn’t notice anything," said a man who works at the restaurant. "Everything goes through your head, what’s their story, how do people lead up to this? And you just think about your own family.”
Other witnesses also said the shooting came out of nowhere.
“I’m looking outside and it’s quiet. All of a sudden I heard three times, bang, bang, bang. And I heard that, and I know the difference between a gunshot and anything else," said Eddy Coussa.
Officials haven't released the identities of the man and woman but witnesses said they appeared to be a couple in their 40s.
The incident remains under investigation.
Thursday's murder-suicide in Pompano Beach is the third in South Florida in less than a week.
Hialeah Police said Clifford Murray shot and killed his girlfriend Rosemary Gutierrez before killing himself, while their 3-year-old son was inside the apartment. Police found their bodies Tuesday, but the child was alone with his parent's remains possibly for days.
Marcos Gonzalez shot and killed his children's mother Raiza Cajuso Saturday, then took his own life, according to Miami-Dade Police. Detectives said their 15, 13 and 9-year-old children were home.
Veliz was familiar with each incident.
“Hialeah, Miami, and now Pompano, unfortunately,” Veliz said.
