4 people dead in Florida shootings
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - June 7, 2008 Deputies had caught up to the suspect about a mile and a half
from the house in the Carrollwood area when he shot from his
vehicle and wounded the deputies, authorities said. Jorge Orlando
Bello Garcia then got out of the truck and attacked one of the
deputies before a third officer shot and killed the suspect,
authorities said.
Hillsborough County sheriff's spokesman J.D. Callaway said
investigators were searching for a motive in the deaths of those
shot in the home.
Neighbor John Mullins told The Tampa Tribune he heard shooting
from across a privacy fence. His wife, Vernetta Mullins, saw a man
flee in a red pickup truck, she said.
"After the shooting, he came out with a gun in his hand with a
white towel draped over it," she told the newspaper. She then
called 911.
The suspect had lived on and off at the house and had a
relationship with at least one of the female victims, Callaway
said.
The bodies of Gina Marie Lamantia-Bello, 44, who was renting the
house and was the wife of the shooter, and Chris Artigas, 45, were
found. Regina Ann Coffaro, 44, was taken to a hospital and died
there, a sheriff's spokesman said.
Artigas, a captain and 23-year veteran of the Hillsborough
County Fire Rescue, was married with two sons and a daughter.
"We're all saddened in Hillsborough County Fire Rescue by this
loss," said Chief Bill Nesmith. "He was a well-respected,
well-rounded individual who did an excellent job for us for 23
years."
Marvin Kinsler said he knew the suspect and described him as a
nice, outgoing person.
"He was one of those people who would say, 'If you need
something, just ask,"' Kinsler said. "I still can't imagine him
doing that."
The wounded deputies were taken to a hospital and underwent
surgery.
Both of the veteran deputies were in fair condition. Deputy Ray
Wilson, 55, who fought with the suspect, was shot in the arm.
Deputy Art Lence, 53, was hit in the lower torso, with the bullet
exiting through his back.