Florida Deputy Kills Ex-Girlfriend, Self in Murder-Suicide

A veteran Pinellas County Sheriff's deputy kidnapped and fatally shot his ex-girlfriend in front of her two children before turning the gun on himself in an apparent murder-suicide on Monday evening, authorities said. The violent incident followed an argument over a television set outside the woman's home in Hudson, Florida.

The victim, a mother of two whose identity has not been released, arrived at her home on Platinum Drive in Spring Hill around 5:30 p.m. after a day at the beach with her children, ages 9 and 12. According to Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco, the suspect, identified as 44-year-old Pinellas County Sheriff's Deputy Troy Savetz, was waiting on the front lawn. An argument ensued, during which Savetz snatched the woman's phone to prevent her from calling 911.

The woman instructed her children to run inside the house and call for help. "We listened to that 911 tape, and we know that your mother said to go inside, save your lives and call 911," Nocco said at a joint press conference Monday night. "Your mom is looking down from heaven, and she is so proud of you. You two did the right thing. You did exactly what your mom wanted you to do."