Officers responded to a shooting and identified Christian Filson as the suspect. Police say Filson shot and killed his girlfriend, Sarah Dale, before barricading himself inside the apartment.
When officers entered and breached a locked door, they were met with gunfire and forced to retreat. The SWAT team later found Filson dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. No officers were injured.
Authorities have not confirmed a motive for the shooting or any details about possible conflicts between Filson and Dale.
While police received an anonymous call in November about Filson’s erratic behavior, it is unclear if there were other warning signs before the incident. Investigators have also not disclosed whether Dale sought help or expressed concerns prior to her death.
Filson and Dale had recently moved to Florida from Tennessee. In 2017, Filson was arrested there for a robbery and accused of firing shots in a crowded grocery store parking lot. However, he had no known criminal history in Florida.
Neighbors described him as quiet and reserved, with no apparent history of domestic disturbances or restraining orders.
Police Chief Charles Broadway said his officers were ambushed. He also expressed condolences to the victim’s family.
