Current:Home > Contact-us4 dead, including Florida man suspected of shooting and wounding 2 police officers-InfoLens
4 dead, including Florida man suspected of shooting and wounding 2 police officers
View Date:2024-12-23 14:49:54
PALM BAY, Fla. (AP) — Four people were killed in a city on Florida’s Space Coast, including a retired priest and a man accused of wounding two police officers during a shootout at a family birthday party, authorities confirmed Monday.
Brandon Kapas, 24, got into a confrontation with Palm Bay police officers Sunday afternoon following a disturbance at his family’s home, police said. Kapas shot and wounded two officers while attempting to get away, officials said.
As additional officers were responding, Kapas allegedly shot and killed his grandfather, William Kapas, who was trying to intervene, police said. The other officers then fatally shot Brandon Kapas, police said.
A relative had told officers that Kapas was armed, and investigators later found what they described as an arsenal, with multiple rifles and handguns, in a vehicle Kapas had been driving. Police didn’t immediately know why Kapas had so many weapons and didn’t immediately release a possible motive for the shooting.
The wounded officers were expected to recover.
“What I can tell you is that our officers’ actions yesterday prevented something even more tragic and devastating from happening,” Chief Mariano Augello said during a news conference Monday.
Detectives later found a retired priest and his sister dead at their home after tracking the registration of the car that Kapas had used, officials said.
Police believe Robert Hoeffner, a retired priest with the St. Joseph Catholic Community, and his sister, Sally Hoeffner, were killed shortly before Kapas went to his grandfather’s home for the birthday party.
Hoeffner retired in 2016 after serving at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Palm Bay detectives said they were trying to determine the connection between Kapas and his victims.
State law enforcement officials will investigate the officer-involved shooting.
Palm Bay is located about 75 miles (120 kilometers) southeast of Orlando.
veryGood! (2)
Related
- In bizarro world, Tennessee plays better defense, and Georgia's Kirby Smart comes unglued
- Mark Lowery, Arkansas treasurer and former legislator who sponsored voter ID law, has died at age 66
- How residents are curbing extreme heat in one of the most intense urban heat islands
- Save $300 on This Cordless Dyson Vacuum That Picks up Pet Hair With Ease
- Arbitrator upholds 5-year bans of Bad Bunny baseball agency leaders, cuts agent penalty to 3 years
- Mandy Moore says her toddler has a rare skin condition called Gianotti Crosti syndrome
- Shedeur Sanders speaks on Colorado Buffaloes meshing, family ties at local youth event
- Hundreds of weapons found as investigators end search of Gilgo Beach murder suspect's home
- Candidates line up for special elections to replace Virginia senators recently elected to US House
- Federal Reserve hikes key interest rate to highest level in 22 years
Ranking
- Satire publication The Onion acquires Alex Jones' Infowars at auction
- Texas Congressman Greg Casar holds hunger and thirst strike to call for federal workplace heat standard
- 'Gimme a break!' Biden blasts insurance hassles for mental health treatment
- Kevin Spacey Found Not Guilty on 9 Sexual Misconduct Charges
- Cameron Brink set to make Sports Illustrated Swimsuit debut
- Women's soccer players file lawsuits against Butler, accuse ex-trainer of sexual assault
- JP Morgan execs face new allegations from U.S. Virgin Islands in $190 million Jeffrey Epstein lawsuit
- Mississippi candidates gives stump speeches amid sawdust and sweat at the Neshoba County Fair
Recommendation
-
In an AP interview, the next Los Angeles DA says he’ll go after low-level nonviolent crimes
-
Verdict reached in trial of cop who placed woman in patrol car hit by train
-
Why Matt Damon Joked Kissing Costar Scarlett Johansson Was Hell
-
As 2024 Paris Olympics near, familiar controversies linger
-
Only 8 monkeys remain free after more than a week outside a South Carolina compound
-
Selena Gomez Praises “Special” Francia Raísa Amid Feud Rumors
-
Pink Summer Carnival setlist is a festival of hits. Here are the songs fans can expect.
-
13 Laptop Bags Under $50 That Are So Chic You’ll Enjoy Commuting to School and Work