A father in Brevard County, Florida, allegedly killed his 15-year-old daughter and three others. A young child's call led to authorities being alerted and the man being arrested on Wednesday. This tragic story started with the child video calling an adult. The adult then drove over to the home and kept the child on the phone the entire time, concerned for their safety. Once the adult arrived at the home, they called 911. The call was received just before 2 a.m. on Wednesday.
The suspect is 36-year-old Domenico Gigante of Rockledge, Florida. Two children, ages 6 and 9, were unharmed and found inside the home, reported WESH2 News. The children are reportedly children of one or more of the adult victims. Gigante was arrested late Wednesday afternoon.
Four victims have been identified.
The four who were shot to death have been identified by law enforcement as Gigante's daughter, Kiara Terwillegar, 15; Kiara's mother, Constance Marie Terwillegar, 35; Michael Andrew Watson, 36; and Glenda May Terwillegar, 63.
This was not Gigante’s first offense. He reportedly has a history of violent behavior that has also involved animal cruelty and domestic violence that date back to 2005, reported Click Orlando.
Sheriff Wayne Ivey said, "I'm going to tell you that this is an extremely violent individual with an extremely violent past dating back as far as 2005, who should have never been on our streets, where he could take the lives of this entire family," reported NBC5.
Gigante reportedly told his roommate what he was planning to do.
An affidavit released by the sheriff's office on Thursday states that Gigante told his roommate what was going to happen. The roommate provided video surveillance of their home in which Gigante is seen leaving their residence at 12:57 a.m. on Wednesday.
He had an object in hand that appeared to be a firearm. He returned within an hour, at 1:41 a.m., reported Click Orlando. The roommate claimed that Gigante said, “I guess I’m going to go over [there] and kill them all,” on Tuesday at 11:30 p.m.
Gigante is being held at the local county jail without bond. He has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder.
The public is calling for justice reform in the wake of the deaths.
Public sentiment in the wake of the killings seems to point to a need for reform in the justice system.
One Facebook user on the Click Orlando page commented, “Sheriff said this guy was dangerous and should never have been out of jail how does this happen?”
Another user replied to this comment saying, “judges." Another reader wrote, “stop prosecutors and judges that are pro-crime!”
Some are also debating whether the roommate should be charged. One Facebook user commented, “If the roommate knew and didn't report it, he should be charged as an accessory …”
“Police couldn't have done anything,” another commented. "Maybe talk to guy but haven’t you ever been told that until something happens there is nothing they can do? And then the roommate's life would be in danger for talking. No win situation. The guy was crazy."
If you or someone you know has been the victim of domestic abuse, you can find help and support at DVIS.org, the National Domestic Abuse Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or by contacting your local women's shelter domesticshelters.org.
