An elderly couple was found shot to death in their condominium at Harbour Isle on Hutchinson Island, Fort Pierce, on Tuesday afternoon, with their 55-year-old son identified as a person of interest.Police have not released the names of the victims but say they were both in their 80s. “This is obviously a very tragic incident for both the family and the officers who had to respond to such a scene,” said Fort Pierce Police Chief Dave Smith.The discovery was made after a woman called the police, concerned that her elderly parents had missed an appointment. “She hadn’t heard from the parents and wanted a welfare check, and officers responded and located them deceased inside the apartment,” Smith said.Smith said the couple had been shot to death, and investigators had identified their son as a person of interest in their deaths.”He was observed leaving the scene prior to officers getting here for the welfare check,” Smith said.Neighbors expressed shock at the news. “Shocked. I’m amazed,” said Gina Robertson, a neighbor. “In this quiet little town. It’s scary. It’s sad. But most of all, totally surprising.”Police said the son was later spotted in Indian River County, where he attempted to flee from deputies. He was arrested on charges of fleeing from police, but has not been charged in connection with his parents’ deaths.”And we want to encourage anybody who’s going through any type of mental health or domestic challenge that they reach out for help,” Smith said.For now, the son remains in custody in Indian River County, and police in Fort Pierce could provide an update on the case as early as Wednesday morning.Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
FORT PIERCE, Fla. —
An elderly couple was found shot to death in their condominium at Harbour Isle on Hutchinson Island, Fort Pierce, on Tuesday afternoon, with their 55-year-old son identified as a person of interest.
Police have not released the names of the victims but say they were both in their 80s.
“This is obviously a very tragic incident for both the family and the officers who had to respond to such a scene,” said Fort Pierce Police Chief Dave Smith.
The discovery was made after a woman called the police, concerned that her elderly parents had missed an appointment.
“She hadn’t heard from the parents and wanted a welfare check, and officers responded and located them deceased inside the apartment,” Smith said.
Smith said the couple had been shot to death, and investigators had identified their son as a person of interest in their deaths.
“He was observed leaving the scene prior to officers getting here for the welfare check,” Smith said.
Neighbors expressed shock at the news.
“Shocked. I’m amazed,” said Gina Robertson, a neighbor. “In this quiet little town. It’s scary. It’s sad. But most of all, totally surprising.”
Police said the son was later spotted in Indian River County, where he attempted to flee from deputies.
He was arrested on charges of fleeing from police, but has not been charged in connection with his parents’ deaths.
“And we want to encourage anybody who’s going through any type of mental health or domestic challenge that they reach out for help,” Smith said.
For now, the son remains in custody in Indian River County, and police in Fort Pierce could provide an update on the case as early as Wednesday morning.
Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News
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Harbour Isle at Hutchinson Island condominium complex in Fort Pierce.
Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.