The Orange County Sheriff’s Office identified the father and two children who were found dead at an apartment complex in Orange County on Friday. The father, Bryant Darrell Watts, was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Watts was accused of shooting and killing his two children, identified as 2-year-old Tiana Rae Watts and 1-year-old Jaliyah Katherine Watts, according to OCSO. “I’m still in shock, still in disbelief, still can’t believe it so just taking it day by day,” said Leroy Jackson III in an interview with WESH 2 on Monday afternoon. He said his family is devastated by Friday’s shootings. Deputies responded around 6:30 p.m. to the Palmetto at Lakeside apartments regarding a call about a man with a gun who was chasing a woman, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.Contact was made with the woman, who was not injured but said she was concerned about the safety of her children in an apartment nearby, the statement reads.As deputies approached the apartment, they heard multiple gunshots. Upon entering, they located the father and two children dead inside. Jaliyah Watts would have been 1 year old in less than two weeks. Two-year-old Tiana would have been three in August. Jackson said, “Tiana, ball of joy. Real exciting to be around. She always greeted you with a smile and Jaliyah, very just, Watts energetic and whenever you would see her, it just put a bright smile on your face. Like really outgoing, really loving girls.”Leading up to the shootings, Watts and the girls’ mother had been under a lot of stress. Court records reveal they were nearly evicted from their apartment in April. Watts was also charged with domestic violence (misdemeanor battery). Last November, an employee of the AdventHealth Centra Care here on South Orange Avenue in Orlando told Orlando police that she saw Watts beat up Jackson inside their car, and then grab their youngest daughter before driving away. According to court records, Watts’ pre-trial was last Thursday, the day before the shootings, and his trial was set for June 23.Jackson said his niece is getting help from family and friends to cope with the loss of her two children. He added, “She’s doing OK. She’s fighting and you know going through this traumatic time but she still wants to continue on the legacy of Tiana and Jaliyah.” Besides that case, Watts was previously convicted in 2014 of felony firearms possession while committing a delinquent act. He was twice convicted in 2018 and 2013 of drug possession, paying fines both times. A candlelight vigil for the two girls is scheduled for this Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the apartment complex where they lived.
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. —
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office identified the father and two children who were found dead at an apartment complex in Orange County on Friday.
The father, Bryant Darrell Watts, was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Watts was accused of shooting and killing his two children, identified as 2-year-old Tiana Rae Watts and 1-year-old Jaliyah Katherine Watts, according to OCSO.
“I’m still in shock, still in disbelief, still can’t believe it so just taking it day by day,” said Leroy Jackson III in an interview with WESH 2 on Monday afternoon. He said his family is devastated by Friday’s shootings.
Deputies responded around 6:30 p.m. to the Palmetto at Lakeside apartments regarding a call about a man with a gun who was chasing a woman, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
Contact was made with the woman, who was not injured but said she was concerned about the safety of her children in an apartment nearby, the statement reads.
As deputies approached the apartment, they heard multiple gunshots. Upon entering, they located the father and two children dead inside.
Jaliyah Watts would have been 1 year old in less than two weeks.
Two-year-old Tiana would have been three in August.
Jackson said, “Tiana, ball of joy. Real exciting to be around. She always greeted you with a smile and Jaliyah, very just, Watts energetic and whenever you would see her, it just put a bright smile on your face. Like really outgoing, really loving girls.”
Leading up to the shootings, Watts and the girls’ mother had been under a lot of stress. Court records reveal they were nearly evicted from their apartment in April.
Watts was also charged with domestic violence (misdemeanor battery).
Last November, an employee of the AdventHealth Centra Care here on South Orange Avenue in Orlando told Orlando police that she saw Watts beat up Jackson inside their car, and then grab their youngest daughter before driving away.
According to court records, Watts’ pre-trial was last Thursday, the day before the shootings, and his trial was set for June 23.
Jackson said his niece is getting help from family and friends to cope with the loss of her two children.
He added, “She’s doing OK. She’s fighting and you know going through this traumatic time but she still wants to continue on the legacy of Tiana and Jaliyah.”
Besides that case, Watts was previously convicted in 2014 of felony firearms possession while committing a delinquent act. He was twice convicted in 2018 and 2013 of drug possession, paying fines both times.
A candlelight vigil for the two girls is scheduled for this Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the apartment complex where they lived.