POMPANO BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - A woman and her adult daughter were found shot dead outside a home in Pompano Beach, leading detectives to arrest a man who is now facing murder charges, authorities said.
According to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the 1500 block of Southwest Fifth Avenue, just after 7:20 p.m. on Thursday.
“Both victims were located outside the residence, and that’s where they were pronounced deceased,” said BSO spokesperson Gerdy St. Louis.
Friday morning, authorities identified the victims as 66-year-old Suzanne Courtade and 23-year-old Meghan Courtade.
7News cameras captured candles and flowers laid by neighbors at the spot where the bodies were found, as the tragedy has rocked the tight-knit neighborhood.
“To have this happen, it was just shocking,” said a neighbor.
Neighbor and friend Douglas Newton told 7News that he has known the victims for many years, adding that Suzanne had lived in the neighborhood for at least 25 years.
“They’re good people, never had any troubles. It’s heartbreaking, you know?” he said.
The other neighbor recalled hearing the gunshots and later learning what had happened.
“We heard the two shots. We weren’t even sure what that was, and then the police came,” she said. “After seeing the two bodies in the street, it was just so upsetting.”
Detectives said they detained 64-year-old David Keith Thornton for questioning. They later placed him under arrest, and he is facing two counts of first-degree murder.
Newton said Thornton is the mother’s longtime boyfriend, adding that he lived at the home, while Meghan was visiting at the time of the shooting.
“She was a good parent, two good daughters — kind, very happy, you know, all the time, always saying hi. You’d stop, you’d say hello, they’d say hello,” said Newton. “Because this is a dead-end street, everybody knows everybody, and everybody knows everybody from one end to the other.”
Neighbors said they are shocked by the entire incident and that the family was kind and had not had any issues in the neighborhood.
“Caring person, always helped you. Never any trouble, the kids the same way. They were outgoing,” said Newton.
“Really nice, really nice neighbors, very friendly and, you know, we’ve known them for a very, very long time,” said the other neighbor. “We are just heartbroken, just sad, and we can’t believe what’s happened. It’s such a tragedy.”
Suzanne worked as a human resources manager for Lauderdale-By-The-Sea.
The town’s mayor, Edmund Malkoon, released a statement, saying,
“It is difficult to find words to express the sadness of such a senseless tragedy. Sue will be remembered not only for her contributions to Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, but for the wonderful person she was and the lasting impression she made on everyone who knew her.”
As detectives work to piece together the circumstances surrounding the shooting, neighbors are left with questions and heartbreak.
“We are praying for them, you know. Our hearts go with them. We’ve been praying since we heard,” said Newton. “Just feel, you know, very heartbroken. It’s heartbreaking news.”
BSO has not revealed a motive behind the murders.
Thornton is expected to appear in court Saturday morning.
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