A suspect is wanted in what police are calling a “targeted marital issue that went terribly wrong,” after he shot and killed his wife and another man early Tuesday morning in the parking lot of the main library in Vero Beach. The victimsIndian River County identified the victims as Danny Ooley, the assistant director of Public Works, and Stacie Mason, a traffic analyst technician. “The reality of this loss is profound, and there are no words that can fully capture its weight. Danny and Stacie were not just employees, but colleagues and dedicated public servants who supported this community every day,” Chairman Deryl Loar and County Administrator John A. Titkanich Jr. said in a statement. “Their absence is deeply felt across our organization and the community they served.” Search underwayThe suspect has been identified as 64-year-old Jesse Scott Ellis, Mason’s husband of 13 years. They were separated and conversing about selling their home. Police located Ellis’s truck at South Beach hours after the victims’ bodies were discovered. They believe it is connected to this double homicide.”We do have his vehicle and all of the context that’s in it,” police said during the news conference. Authorities said Ellis obtained “professional services” and was aware of things that took place when asked how he knew the victims were at the library. Ellis left behind the weapon, an AR-style firearm, and police are actively searching his vehicle. Community in shockCommunity members have been in shock after learning of Tuesday’s double homicide.Area residents who frequent this beach say that kind of heavy police presence is rare in the Vero Beach community, and the double homicide continues to send shock waves through the area.Suspect walks into oceanAlthough Ellis was last seen by beachgoers and someone reported seeing a man enter the ocean fully clothed, he is still considered “at large,” and the search for him is ongoing. This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available. Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
VERO BEACH, Fla. —
A suspect is wanted in what police are calling a “targeted marital issue that went terribly wrong,” after he shot and killed his wife and another man early Tuesday morning in the parking lot of the main library in Vero Beach.
The victims
Indian River County identified the victims as Danny Ooley, the assistant director of Public Works, and Stacie Mason, a traffic analyst technician.
“The reality of this loss is profound, and there are no words that can fully capture its weight. Danny and Stacie were not just employees, but colleagues and dedicated public servants who supported this community every day,” Chairman Deryl Loar and County Administrator John A. Titkanich Jr. said in a statement. “Their absence is deeply felt across our organization and the community they served.”
Search underway
The suspect has been identified as 64-year-old Jesse Scott Ellis, Mason’s husband of 13 years. They were separated and conversing about selling their home.
Police located Ellis’s truck at South Beach hours after the victims’ bodies were discovered. They believe it is connected to this double homicide.
“We do have his vehicle and all of the context that’s in it,” police said during the news conference.
Authorities said Ellis obtained “professional services” and was aware of things that took place when asked how he knew the victims were at the library.
Ellis left behind the weapon, an AR-style firearm, and police are actively searching his vehicle.
Community in shock
Community members have been in shock after learning of Tuesday’s double homicide.
Area residents who frequent this beach say that kind of heavy police presence is rare in the Vero Beach community, and the double homicide continues to send shock waves through the area.
Suspect walks into ocean
Although Ellis was last seen by beachgoers and someone reported seeing a man enter the ocean fully clothed, he is still considered “at large,” and the search for him is ongoing.
This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available.
Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25
Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.