We are learning more about a triple shooting that occurred in Hernando County Jan. 23. Two of the victims died. One was critically injured.
- Brene Marshall, 16, and Taneta Morrell, 40, shot, killed
- Marshall's stepfather, Aldolphus Washington, in critical condition
- No information released on shooter's motive, connection to family
Resident Mohammad Kalam was at work Tuesday night when he heard about police activity in his neighborhood.
"I'm like, 'oh my God, is it something going on at my house? Is he holding my family hostage?" Kalam said.
Just a few doors down from Kalam's home, police were involved in an hours-long standoff with a suspect who ran to a vacant home after investigators say he opened fire on a family a few blocks over.
The Sheriff's Office said Brene Marshall, 16. and her mother Taneta Morrell, 40, were shot and killed in their home on Azen Loop in Brooksville. Morrell's companion, Aldophus Washington, 36, was shot and taken to a local hospital in critical condition.
On Jan. 26, the Hernando Sheriff's Office formally charged Khristian Donyell Francis, 23, with two counts of first degree murder with a firearm, one count of attempted first degree murder with a firearm, and armed burglary. Investigators identified Francis as a transient from Brooksville.
Sheriff Al Nienhuis called the shooting scene 'horrific.' He says without the community's help they would not have been able to arrest the suspect.
"We had witnesses in the area who saw suspicious activity, the individual running, which gave us a location to track from and so forth," Sheriff Nienhuis explained. "So it did come together almost perfectly to be able to apprehend this individual."
Kalam said he often saw the family go into the gas station where he works, and said they had good hearts.
"They were very religious people, they were very nice," Kalam said. "For me to only see them just days ago, and then now they're not here with us today is crazy."
Marshall was a student at Hernando High School and would have turned 17 on Jan. 26. The school district said grief counselors were at the school Wednesday and they will be there for as long as they are needed.