According to officials, a Florida man Michael Williams is accused of fatally shooting his ex-wife and her kid on Sunday during a dispute about the use of energy.
According to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, Michael Williams, 47, became upset after learning that Marsha Ebanks-Williams, 48, and her son, Robert Adams, 28, had snipped a lock he had installed on the electrical box to prevent them from racking up a big electricity bill.
“Michael was upset that he felt that they were leaving the lights on in the house, and he went and put a lock on the box outside the house, which Marsha and her son cut,” Chief Deputy Brian Henderson said Monday at a press conference.
“So he became upset, and that started this argument which ultimately resulted in these two people getting shot and killed.”
Adams’ children, ages 5 and 6, were in the house at the time.
“You got a 5- and 6-year-old that likely witnessed their father getting murdered,” Henderson added. “This was a senseless murder that did not have to occur.”
Following their divorce, the ex-spouses shared a home in Deland, Florida, which is located about 40 miles north of Orlando. They intended to divide the earnings from the sale of the property.
After the shooting, Williams dialled 911 and informed the responding officers that he had shot himself in self-defense after being severely attacked by his ex-wife and stepson.
“I’ll let the picture speak for itself,” said Henderson, holding up a booking photo that showed Williams’ unmarred face. “I don’t see anything on this guy.”
Williams’ gun was the sole weapon discovered on the site. According to officials, Williams and his ex-wife were wed for ten years but never had children.
Police responded to five domestic arguments at their house in the previous year, but no claims of violence were made.
Williams’ criminal history reportedly includes accusations of domestic violence, child abuse, and battery on a police officer.
