POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Disturbing details are being released related to the manhunt of a Fort Meade man, Taiwan Blandin, 30. Sheriff Grady Judd called it one of the most bizarre and tragic cases he's seen in awhile.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office isn't releasing any of the victim's names, but said an 80-year-old woman was murdered, an 18-year-old girl was raped, and an 81-year-old woman was shot in her wheelchair. They believe Taiwan Blandin is the suspect in all three criimes, because the rape victim was a witness and she identified the suspect as being a friend of her boyfriend.

Judd revealed during a news conference Wednesday that the 80-year-old woman wsa shot twice in her home in Frostproof, including once in her head. They said the bullet also went through her dog Kelly, whom she was holding. Judd believes Blandin also came back later and attempted to set the elderly woman's home on fire.

"He not only shot and murdered this 80-year-old woman in her home, she was holding her baby - her 10-year-old dog Kelly. We have Kelly with us today. Kelly survived the shooting but Kelly has a broken foot," Judd said as a deputy brought the small dog out.

Neighbors said the woman loved animals.

"She minded her own business. She took care of herself. She was an awesome lady," said Tammie Williams, a neighbor.

The sheriff said while Blandin was inside with the elderly woman, the rape victim was bound in the backseat of his car. He allegedly kidnapped her after the rape and left her in the car while he went inside the elderly woman's home. Judd said the rape victim managed to get away, but the suspect followed her back to her home in Fort Meade, about 25 minutes away, in the rural southern portion of Polk County.

Judd said Blandin tried to shoot the rape victim, but shot an 81-year-old woman in the foot instead. Deputies expect her to survive.

Sheriff Grady Judd speaks to reporters on Wednesday about the search and investigation. (Stephanie Claytor/Spectrum Bay News 9)

"It's been a long time since I've seen an absolute total disregard for life, but Taiwan Blandin for whatever reason went on a killing spree and a sexual battery spree," Judd said..

Investigators believe the rape happened first, before the shootings.

"He broke into her house while she was asleep. When he woke her up, she looked and there he stood nude in front of her. Totally naked," Judd said, adding that Blandin allegedly blindfolded the 18-year-old and forced her to have sex at knifepoint.

The neighbors of the Frostproof victim said they're really on alert, because they know the suspect too.

They said Taiwan Blandin used to work for the murder victim and his father lived on the street behind her.

"He was a good kid at one time," said Bill Williams.

Judd said a Fort Meade business owner told him the same thing.

"I talked to one of the business people there yesterday. They said he was a great kid. A super kid. But he got off track and decided to be a criminal and a murderer along the way," Judd said.

Judd described Blandin as an ex-con who faced 11 prior felony charges. He confirmed Blandin's father died recently and Blandin's brother works for the Sheriff's Office. He said Blandin's family is cooperating with the investigation.

Blandin reportedly spoke to his sister and brother after the crimes, and revealed he was in Macon, Ga.

"Make no mistake about it that he has put us on notice that he is capable of killing himself or engaging us in gunfight and if he does not surrender peacefully, we will shoot him a lot. That's a promise," Judd said.

Judd said deputies have no idea where Blandin is now. They do believe he's still driving his Chevy Cruze, with a license plate of NAG K37 with tinted windows. They said he is 6 feet tall and weighs 190 pounds

"We've got to get him in custody. His decision-making frightens us. Every bad decision he could've made, he's made so far. We hope that he recognizes it's time to turn himself in and give up," Judd said.

Authorities believe the suspect is still driving his Chevy Cruze, license plate NAG K37 (Polk County Sheriff's Office)