TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A gunman shot and killed his ex-girlfriend and wounded another person before turning the gun on himself outside a Pinellas Park business Monday morning, police said.
Police identified the suspect as Henry Gonzalez, 46, he was involved in a “domestic quarrel” with his ex-girlfriend in the parking lot of HIT Promotions, a commercial business in the 3300 block of 122nd Avenue North.
Police said the gunman shot a male victim and wounded him before he shot his ex and killed her.
The male victim suffered life-threatening injuries and remains at an area hospital, police said.
Police did not say whether any of the parties involved were employed by the business. Police said the shooting was an isolated incident and there was no threat to the employees.
“The month of October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. We encourage anyone who is the victim or knows a victim of domestic violence to report it to law enforcement,” police said in a press release.
Lariana Forsythe, CEO of Community Action Stops Abuse, said while people may think domestic violence is confined to the home, it can spill into the public sphere, like in this case.
“People are being very aware, which is great,” Lariana said. “I have this co-worker or this employee that is getting incessant calls from their significant other. They seem to be very controlling about where this person is spending their time.”
If you or someone you know has been affected by domestic violence, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE. CASA in Pinellas County also has a hotline (727-895-4912) and more resources on their website, www.casapinellas.org