KENDALL, Fla. – A mother and son are dead after the man's friend ambushed them at their Kendall home early Thursday morning and fatally shot them, saying that the voices in his head made him do it, police said.
The shooting happened about 4 a.m. at 14333 SW 97th Terrace.
Miami-Dade police said the bodies of Gale Sikora, 52, and Anthony Sikora, 23, were found inside the home.
The gunman was identified by police Thursday evening as Ronnie Candelaria. He was arrested on charges of first-degree murder and armed robbery, and is being held on no bond.
Police said Candelaria went to the home armed with an AK-47, a Glock 10mm, and had more than 300 rounds of ammunition. According to the arrest report, Candelaria shot Gale Sikora in the staircase, and then went to her son's room and killed him after shooting him multiple times.
Investigators said Anthony Sikora and the 21-year-old suspect were friends.
Detective Alvaro Zabaleta said Candelaria told investigators "voices in (his) head told him to do it."
According to the arrest report, Candelaria said the movies "The Punisher, "The Punisher: War Zone", and the TV series "Breaking Bad" motivated him to kill Anthony Sikora. Candelaria also told detectives he believed Sikora was the devil.
Zabaleta said Candelaria's AK-47 and Gale Sikora's handgun were impounded.
Gale Sikora was a nurse at Baptist Hospital.
"Our hearts go out to Gale's family and colleagues," Randy Lee, chief operating officer at Baptist Hospital, said in a statement. "She was a wonderful employee and we are very saddened by this tragedy."
The Candelaria family released a statement Friday through an attorney. It stated in part, "The Candelaria family wishes to express their deepest sympathy and regret for the horrible loss suffered by the Sikora family. The Candelaria's son Ronnie had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. His condition was effectively managed through medication and they are at a loss to understand why his condition so tragically deteriorated. Ronnie lawfully acquired firearms before he was diagnosed and had always exercised care and responsibility in the handling of firearms."
Candelaria refused to come to court Friday for his first appearance but it was still held without him present.