Former priest among victims of Palm Bay, Florida shooting that left 3 killed, suspected shooter dead
A priest and two others are dead, two police officers are injured and a suspected shooter was killed by authorities after a shooting on the east coast of Florida Sunday.
The shooting occurred after a domestic disturbance at a birthday party Sunday afternoon in Palm Bay, a city roughly 75 miles southeast of Orlando.
Palm Bay Police say the suspect, Brandon Kapas, shot his grandfather to death. While responding to the scene, they also found the bodies of retired St. Joseph Catholic Community Father Robert "Bob" Hoeffner and his sister.
Police believe Kapas was responsible for all three deaths, and he was fatally shot by police following a brief pursuit Sunday. Autopsies will be conducted on Kapas and the three other deceased as the investigation into the incident continues. Here is what we know so far:
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Who are the victims of the Palm Bay shooting?
- William Kapas Sr., 78, grandfather of the suspected gunman
- Father Robert "Bob" Hoeffner, 76, retired St. Joseph Catholic Community priest
- Sally Hoeffner, 69, sister of Father Hoeffner
Two officers were also shot, one in the arm and one in the leg. At a Monday press conference, Palm Bay Police Chief Mariano Augello said that one was recovering from surgery and the other was set to be released. A Tuesday press release from the Palm Bay Police Department identified the officers as Stephen Ball and Nicholas Franze.
Who is the suspected shooter?
- Brandon Kapas, 24, suspected shooter
Grandfather tried to stop dispute: Police
Palm Bay patrol officers were called about 2:07 p.m. Sunday to the Kapas family home.
Augello said officers arrived about 2:19 p.m. and immediately met with an uncle who told them Brandon Kapas, his nephew, was possibly armed and being disruptive at a family birthday party. At that moment, Brandon stepped out of the home and quickly began walking away "as Palm Bay officers attempted to talk with him,” Augello said.
An officer tased Kapas and got into a brief struggle before Kapas reached for his handgun and fired at the officers, the chief said.
The gunman's grandfather, William Kapas Sr., attempted to intervene but was shot and killed by the suspect, according to police.
“The grandfather was trying to help,” the chief said.
Brandon Kapas was killed by police, while two officers were wounded.
Police found more weapons in car, possibly part of larger planned attack
Officers said the car Brandon Kapas was driving contained several other guns and weapons inside, leading them to believe he may have had a larger attack planned.
William Kapas Jr., son of the elder Kapas who died, and uncle to the suspected shooter, told Florida Today, part of the USA TODAY Network, that Brandon was struggling after his mother's death. "Obviously, this is a very traumatic time for us," William Kapas Jr. said.
William Kapas Jr., son of the elder Kapas who died, and uncle to the suspected shooter, told Florida Today, part of the USA TODAY Network, that the family had strong ties to the St. Joseph Catholic Church, where Hoeffner was a priest.
The car Brandon Kapas was driving was owned by the priest and his sister, police said, though police were not able to identify the relationship between Kapas and the Hoeffners.
Community mourns loss of beloved priest
News of Father Hoeffner’s death spread quickly, with Bishop John Noonan, who oversees the 400,000-member Orlando Diocese that includes Brevard County, issued a statement about the homicides Monday.
“Throughout his priesthood, Father Hoeffner served the people of God with compassion and humility. We will miss his grace-filled presence. We know he and his sister are received by the Lord with mercy and love,” Bishop Noonan said in the statement.
Hoeffner retired after serving 43 years as a priest and was celebrated by congregants, community leaders and others. He was known for his friendly demeanor, humor, the hot chili he made for the church fair, and emphasis on community, parishioners recalled.
He also guided both police officers and firefighters through incidents of grief, officers and parishioners said.