Police: Man shoots his wife and her parents in front of their children
MELBOURNE, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Authorities in Melbourne, Florida are investigating following a triple-shooting in which children were present, according to police.
Crime scene investigators remained at the scene on Woodsmill Drive, just before 5 p.m. on New Year's Day. Neighbors said they heard several gunshots, which they first thought were fireworks. When police arrived, they discovered three people were injured from gunshot wounds.
Police identified the suspected shooter as 39-Year-old William Stillwell.
Investigators said Stillwell’s wife was visiting her parents when he arrived to that location and shot at her and her parents. The three were transported to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
The couple has two five-year-old children together, identified as twins. According to police, the children are safe with family members approved by the Florida Department of Children and Families. They were inside the home during the incident, after which they ran to a neighbors house. “It’s horrible. My wife's upset but she's trying to take care of their kids, the kids seem to be doing okay but I'm sure they're going to be traumatized by this,” said Phil McMahon.
Stillwell is charged with three counts of attempted murder, child abuse, and using a weapon to commit a felony. He is scheduled to have his first court appearance Wednesday afternoon.