A shooting in Palm Bay, Florida, left four people dead on Sunday, including a retired priest, Robert
Bob
Hoeffner, and his sister, Sally Hoeffner, according to local media.
Palm Bay police identified the attacker as Brandon Kapas, 24, who shot and wounded two officers who responded to a domestic violence call around 2:00 p.m. local time, according to local media Click Orlando.
The diocese of Orlando confirmed the identity of the priest through a publication on the X social network, adding that Hoeffner “served the people of God with compassion and humility.”
The statement added that "we also pray for the two officers who were injured yesterday and for the public servants who care for our community, and we extend our gratitude to them in these difficult times."
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Police investigate a shooting in Palm Bay, Fla., Sunday, on Jan. 28, 2024.WESH
The officers, whose names have not been released, were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
One of the officers has already been discharged, while the other underwent surgery and is recovering, police said, cited by Click Orlando.
The suspect was shot dead by police, according to local media.
Authorities detailed that after agents were called to the home in Palm Bay, Kapas' uncle told them that he was having problems with the young man, who he suspected might be carrying firearms, local channel Fox35 reported.
Shortly afterward, Kapas left the home and refused to comply with police commands as he walked toward a vehicle.
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As more officers responded, Kapas allegedly shot and killed his grandfather, William Kapas, who was trying to intervene, police said, cited by the Washington Post.
The other officers then shot and killed Brandon Kapas.
It was in an exchange of gunfire between the police and Kapas that two officers were injured.
Officers found an arsenal in the car Kapas was driving, including several rifles and handguns.
It was unclear why he had so many weapons or what his possible motives were.
"What I can tell you is that the actions of our officers prevented a more devastating tragedy from occurring," Police Chief Mariano Augello said at a news conference Monday.
Detectives later found the priest and his sister dead in their home after tracking down the registration of the car Kapas had used, authorities told local media.
Police believe the two were killed shortly before Kapas arrived at his grandfather's house for a birthday party, according to the Post.
Authorities said they are investigating the relationship between Kapas and his victims.