A gunman suspected of killing two women and critically injuring a third has shot and killed himself, Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings confirmed Thursday morning.
Deputies are investigating two shooting scenes near the International Drive area of Orange County, as well as a third scene in the Pine Hills area, where deputies said the suspect killed himself.
The first shooting happened sometime before 8 a.m. Thursday at the Quality Suites near the intersection of West Sand Lake Road and Canada Avenue.
Deputies said two women, both 28 years old, were found shot in the chest and head behind the counter of the hotel. The two were transported to an unspecified hospital, where they were pronounced dead. Deputies believe one of the women was an estranged girlfriend of the suspect. The second woman appears to be just an employee.
About 15 to 20 minutes later, a third woman, 31, was found shot at the Westgate Lakes Resort near Turkey Lake Road, about two and a half miles south of the Quality Suites. That woman was said to be in critical condition at Dr. Phillips Hospital, though Sheriff Demings said she is expected to survive. Demings said the woman was very good friends with one of the victims.
Demings said a short time later, around 9:34 a.m., a deputy spotted and started pursuing the suspect's car near Blue Earth Court and North Hiawassee Road.
Deputies said the suspect then appeared to put a gun to the right side of his head and open fire. His car then crashed into a tree and erupted into flames. The 33-year-old suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.
The suspect was believed to have worked at the Westgate Lakes Resort at one time.
Deputies said they believe a domestic situation led to the shootings at both scenes. They said deputies served a domestic violence injunction to the suspect just last night in Osceola County.
"It was a relationship that went bad," Demings said.
Demings said it appeared that the suspect and one of the victims shared a child. However, they said the child was unhurt in the incident.