OCALA, Fla., Sept. 10 (UPI) -- A Florida man was arrested in the shooting deaths of his grandmother and great-grandmother and the injuring of a third woman, officials said.
Azael Angel Stevens was arrested Sunday for allegedly shooting and killing his grandmother and great-grandmother earlier that morning, The Ocala Star-Banner reported.
Stevens also allegedly shot a third woman, identified as Jacqueline Gonzalez, 47. Gonzalez was taken to Shands hospital at the University of Florida in Gainesville. Her condition was not reported.
Neighbors said Stevens, 22, was raised by his grandmother and great-grandmother, and had returned home Friday after being released from jail two months ago. He was jailed for drug charges.
"He was raised by them since he was a little boy," said Steven Johnson, who lived next door to the slain women.
The incident began at 1:30 a.m. when Stevens woke Gonzalez who, along with her 8-year-old son, was spending the night at the Ocala home, investigators said. Stevens allegedly threatened Gonzalez with a handgun, demanding her car keys.
Stevens' grandmother and great-grandmother woke up and tried to intervene, but Stevens allegedly shot and killed them.
He then allegedly shot Gonzalez after she handed over her keys. Gonzalez's son woke up and saw his mother being shot, and he and his mother ran to Johnson's home for help.
"They were banging on the door. The little boy was crying and really scared. We called 911 and they were here in three or four minutes," Johnson said.
Stevens fled the scene in Gonzalez's car and was arrested a short time later.
He was booked into the Marion County Jail on two counts of felony murder, one count each of attempted felony murder, grand theft auto, robbery and driving with a suspended license. He was being held without bond.
