Deputies say man admitted killing girlfriend before hours-long standoff at West Palm Beach hotel
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. —
Deputies with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office arrested Todd Wegrich after he confessed to murdering his girlfriend and was taken into custody following an hours-long standoff at a hotel in downtown West Palm Beach.
The series of events began unfolding on Friday, Sep.4, when PBSO deputies initially responded to the 1400 block of Tangled Orchard Trace in Loxahatchee after receiving reports of a possible shooting. Four callers told authorities that Wegrich had contacted friends and family, confessing to the murder. The callers also said Wegrich admitted to fleeing the residence but refused to disclose his location.
When deputies arrived, they found evidence of gunshots near the residence. Due to exigent circumstances, they entered the home and discovered a deceased female just inside the front door. The woman appeared to have multiple gunshot wounds.
Violent Crimes detectives began investigating and determined that Wegrich was in the area of 215 N. Narcissus Ave. in West Palm Beach.
Officers with the West Palm Beach Police Department located Wegrich’s vehicle in a parking garage near The Ben Hotel, where investigators confirmed that Wegrich was a registered guest.
Authorities contacted Wegrich by phone and engaged in hours-long negotiations to persuade him to surrender peacefully. Despite their efforts, Wegrich refused to surrender and expressed alarming sentiments, including a willingness to harm himself and suggestions that he might force law enforcement to use force against him.
Eventually, SWAT teams from the West Palm Beach Police Department and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office successfully took Wegrich into custody without incident.
He was transported to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes Division, where he provided a full confession to the murder of his girlfriend.
This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available.
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