HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Attorney Robert Fenstersheib was shot dead Wednesday morning by his eldest son, who then turned the gun on himself and took his own life.
Those details were revealed by Fenstersheib’s law firm in a news conference at the well-known personal injury attorney’s office in Hallandale Beach.
Family spokesman Scott Mager said it was a murder-suicide. Police have not released any details into the shooting.
Fenstersheib’s longtime girlfriend Pan Hong was also shot. She was rushed to the hospital in serious condition and was in surgery Wednesday but is expected to survive.
Fenstersheib’s son Michael struggled with mental illness, those close to the family said.
“Michael was battling a lifetime of health issues and drug addiction,” Mager said. “He was a troubled young man even though his father loved him so. And so did his brother and sister.”
The shootings happened in the Oakridge gated community in Hollywood. Hollywood police say a 911 call came in around 9:40 a.m. and they arrived to find two men dead.
Sky 10 was over the 3200 block of SW 49th Street where police had the area around the home taped off as they worked the scene well into the afternoon.
“We are investigating it. We are trying to obtain witnesses. Trying to obtain any evidence that we can find to get to know what happened in this situation,” said Christian Lata, a public information officer for Hollywood police. “I believe that once we speak to the third victim and get some information, we might be able to come to a conclusion.”
Alexandra Arguello, who worked for Fenstersheib as a paralegal, said the attorney showed that he cared for his clients.
“One thing that he really made sure he did was he let his clients know he was there for them,” she said. “I feel for his kids. I feel for his employees, his friends. It’s just something that you don’t ever think is going to happen to someone you know.”
Fenstersheib is survived by his son David and daughter Stephanie, both attorneys.
The firm their father built will stay open.