Police in Edgewater, Florida said three people, including an armed suspect, and his ex-girlfriend were taken hostage at a Monday evening Narcotics Anonymous meeting.
Erica Hoffman, 33 years old, and Ian Greenfield 59 years old were killed in the melee. Quinton Francis Hunter, 49 was later killed by a self inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities stated that Hunter had been shot and killed. Tuesday press conference.
“This was not a random shooting, it was believed to be domestic in nature,”Edgewater Police Department spokesperson said. “Our condolences and prayers go out to the families of the victims. As for Mr. Hunter, I’m glad he is no longer with us to harm any more.”
Hoffman and Greenfield were believed to be in a new relationship, while Hoffman is the ex-girlfriend of Hunter, authorities said. While authorities say it is possible that jealousy was the motive, it was not immediately clear whether the two men had any other encounters prior to the shooting, cops said.
Hoffman and Greenfield had been attending the Narcotics Anonymous meeting organized by nonprofit organization Bridge the Gap Monday evening, cops said.
Shortly after the meeting began, Hunter entered the building armed and fatally shot Greenfield at close proximity, then took Hoffman hostage, cops said.
About 20 people had been attending the meeting.
Hunter also posted on Facebook Live when he was in the building, authorities said, but did not indicate he would commit an act of violence. “It was just heavy breathing, you know, in a very lunatic-type manner,” cops said.
Edgewater police arrived on the scene shortly after receiving several calls at 7:15 p.m. along with a regional SWAT team. However, authorities were unable to communicate with anyone in the building. The authorities stated that there was no active shooter scenario at the time they arrived at the scene.
The three victims were found dead when authorities entered the rear of the building. Hoffman and Greenfield were also found to have been shot.
The shootout resulted in no injuries to anyone else, and all the participants were able escape for safety once the shooting had ended. Authorities believe Hoffman was prevented by other attendees from fleeing.
According to authorities, Hunter was a victim of crime and had been charged with various weapon offenses.
Investigators are still looking into the motive behind the shooting.
