Friday, August 10, 2012

Wesley Chapel, FL: Murder-suicide in Wesley Chapel Target parking lot underscores tragic trend

Wesley Chapel, Florida -- The man and woman found dead in a car parked in the Target parking lot on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. had been separated from their partners, dating each other, and had possibly gotten into an argument prior to the murder-suicide.

"We do know that the victim had told the suspect that she was breaking off that relationship and going back with her husband and her family," says Sheriff Chris Nocco.

The woman who was shot to death has been identified as Elizabeth Behrens. The man, who then turned the gun on himself, is Armando Troconis.

"Nobody should ever be put in that situation," Nocco says. "Nobody should ever lose their lives."

The couple apparently met at Target on Thursday night, and got into her car. Troconis shot his girlfriend, then himself while the car was still running.

Tom Mueller with the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay says in some cases, murder-suicides will happen in public areas in order to convey the pain someone has gone through without having to tell people directly.

Sadly, Tampa Bay has seen several murder-suicides occur in public areas, even just over the last few months. In April, a firefighter turned a gun on his wife, then himself in a Largo Walgreens parking lot. And in June, outside a Village Inn in Tampa, a man killed a woman, then himself in front of their son.

If you or someone you know needs help, you can call 1-800-273-TALK. Also in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and some other counties, you can dial 211 to get in touch with someone.

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