2 dead, 1 in hospital in murder-suicide in Coral Gables

MIAMI – Miami-Dade police are releasing new details about a murder-suicide that occurred Thursday morning at a Coral Gables apartment building.

They say it appears that a 61-year-old man took the life of a 41-year-old woman with whom he was in a romantic relationship, then shot her 20-year-old husband and then killed himself.

Neighbors told CBS News Miami they were surprised.

Lili Swanson said: “It’s obviously shocking and disturbing. It’s not something you want to hear, especially where you live. It’s very sad. This is a very nice neighborhood and everyone is very friendly.”

Neighbor Lori Perez said: “It’s shocking. It’s shocking. If it’s a couple, it’s a sign of the times. It’s horrible. This is such a beautiful complex, it’s well run and very safe, and there’s nothing better than the Gables.”

Coral Gables police rushed to the Gables Ponce Apartments at 320 Granello Avenue near U.S. 1 and LeJeune Road and cordoned off the block. The nearby Coral Gables Senior High School was also temporarily cordoned off as a precaution.

Miami-Dade police are investigating homicides in Coral Gables and Detective Andre Martin said police responded when the 20-year-old victim called 911.

Martin said: “At around 9:43 a.m., the dispatch center received a 911 call from a man who reported having gunshot wounds.”

Martin said when Coral Gables Fire Department arrived, they found the elderly man and woman both dead.

Martin said: “The man who called 911 was taken to Jackson South Hospital where he underwent life-saving surgery. He is now in stable condition.”

Martin said: “We know that the deceased man and woman were in a civil partnership.”

What sparked this incident is unknown, but investigators may be able to get some answers after interviewing the 20-year-old man at the hospital.

Martin said investigators would look at the “call history” to determine if there had been any previous calls about problems at the apartment.

He said this was an isolated incident and there was no danger to the community.

CBS News Miami reached out to the apartment building’s property management, but an employee said she was told there would be no comment.

Martin said: “We need to remind the community that if they are involved in any situation, any domestic situation that they believe may become violent or has become violent in the past, they need to reach out and seek help.”

He said: “We all know that family situations can be difficult, but there is no excuse for using violence. If you believe you are in danger, or if you fear for your safety or the safety of loved ones, we encourage that person to seek help and get out of the situation.”