A retired Catholic priest and his sister were shot to death in Florida by a 24-year-old man who shot and killed his grandfather and injured two police officers during a birthday party, according to reports.
Palm Bay Police responded to a call of a domestic disturbance at a home on Fogal Avenue, Nebraska, where a birthday party was being held around 2 p.m. Sunday. WESH reportedThis was reported by Police Chief Mario Augello.
According to the newspaper, Brandon Kappas’ uncle told police he was armed and had weapons in his car, but before he could confront him, he shot and killed his grandfather, William Kappas, 78. It is said that he did.
Augello and her family said her grandfather, who was visiting from Kentucky to celebrate his sister’s birthday, was killed while chasing a gunman to stop a rampage in an area about 110 miles southeast of Orlando. .
When police encountered Mr. Capas, he walked quickly toward his car, at least one officer used a Taser, and a struggle ensued.
After Kapas managed to escape, two officers were injured in a gunfight and Kapas died, the chief said.
Police later found an “arms cache” inside the vehicle and learned the vehicle did not belong to Kapas. Fox 35 Orlando reported..
Officers tracked the registered owner to a home in the city’s north, where they found two people dead.
The deceased were identified as the Rev. Robert Hefner, a retired priest, and his sister, Sally Hefner.
Augello said Monday that the gunman was related to the two men, but the nature of the relationship was unclear. According to NBC News.
“I lost my father. He was my role model. I became the person I am because of him,” William Capas Jr. said. told Florida Today.
“He was a very loving person and will be greatly missed. Obviously, this is a very traumatic time for us. (Brandon) was my nephew,” he said.
Bishop John Noonan, who oversees the Diocese of Orlando and its 400,000 Catholics, said: issued a statement About Monday’s loss.
“We join with the St. Joseph Catholic Community of Palm Bay in mourning the tragic loss of these four lives, praying for the repose of their souls, and sending our prayers to their families,” he wrote. .
“Throughout his priesthood, Father Hefner served the people of God with compassion and humility. We will miss his gracious presence. I know that I am being welcomed with compassion and love,” Noonan continued.
“We also pray for the two police officers who were injured yesterday and the public servants who protect our communities, and we express our gratitude to them during this difficult time.” .
One officer was injured in the arm and another was hit in the leg, Augello said, adding that both were “okay.”
Augello described the officers as heroic and called the suspect a “potential shooter” because so many guns were found in the car.
A top police official said the motive was unknown.
“We don’t know what the trigger was,” he said, adding that Capas had a “criminal history,” including drunk driving and resisting arrest, NBC News reported.
It is unclear whether he was referring to the charges or the conviction.
“It’s unfortunate. These situations affected multiple families. It was tragic no matter how you look at it, and it was also tragic that a police officer was shot and killed while protecting our community.” the chief said.
