DAVIE, Fla. — Authorities are investigating an apparent murder-suicide at the Aveda Institute in Davie that left a woman and a man dead.
Davie police said the victim, a 20-year-old student at the school, had previously been in a relationship with the 25-year-old suspect. Investigators said that relationship had ended.
Officers said the man shot and killed the woman before turning the gun on himself. They said he was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition and later died.
The shooting occurred shortly after 2 p.m. Tuesday in the school’s parking lot on University Drive, north of Griffin Road. Cellphone video from the scene showed students evacuating the building with their hands in the air, while cries could be heard as people fled.
In 911 calls obtained by Local 10 News, students described seeing gunfire and a person lying in a car.
The incident prompted a large response from Davie police and temporarily placed nearby St. David Catholic School and Know It All Preparatory School on lockdown.
Emily Sosa, a student at the beauty school located at 4186 S. University Dr., described the chaos to Local 10’s Roy Ramos.
“Everyone was kind of running around frantically, so we didn’t know if he was inside or outside or what was going on,” Sosa said.
Video from Sky 10 showed the scope of the law enforcement response, with nearby St. David Catholic School and Burkhard’s Tractor & Equipment temporarily placed on lockdown.
Richard Burkhard, the owner of that business, said he kept employees inside for their protection after hearing gunshots.
Detectives spent hours at the scene, focusing on a white car later covered with a brown tarp and interviewing witnesses. Authorities said the incident poses no ongoing threat and no additional suspects are being sought.
Nearby residents described the scene as frightening. Cindy Santaita, who lives nearby, said she saw students crying outside the school.
“I feel really bad for whoever was hurt there, and their poor parents who have to get this news,” she said.
Authorities said the investigation is ongoing and are working to confirm the identity of both individuals. A motive for the shooting is unclear at this time.
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