Broward sheriff's deputies put on leave over Tamarac triple shooting investigation
FORT LAUDERDALE - Five Broward Sheriff's deputies have been put on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of an investigation into the handling of a triple homicide over the weekend in Tamarac.
Sources told CBS News Miami, that one lieutenant, two sergeants and two deputies have been placed on leave. Four work in the Tamarac district, the fifth is assigned to another district.
According to court documents, Nathan Gingles was in the midst of a contentious divorce from his estranged wife, Mary Gingles. Investigators say he went to her home Sunday morning at 5897 N. Plum Bay Pkwy. around 6 a.m. and fatally shot her father on the patio.
According to an arrest warrant David Ponzer, Gingle's father-in-law, was startled when he showed up at his home.
"The victim was on the ground and appeared to be clutching the handle of a coffee cup and a lighter," according to the arrest report.
Detectives say they found a domestic violence injunction order lying on the kitchen table.
Detectives say after the shooting, Mary Gingles ran to a neighbor's house for help, but Gingles followed her and opened fire, killing both her and the neighbor, 36-year-old Andrew Ferrin.
Surveillance shows Gingles casually walking with his 4-year-old daughter Seraphina away from the crime scene.
The union representing Paparella responded to his suspension, saying that Tony's public statements made before a full investigation violated due process and collective bargaining agreements, raising concerns about impartiality and fairness in the disciplinary process. The union intends to explore legal grievances regarding these violations.
Death investigation led to Amber Alert
An Amber Alert was issued for Seraphina and her father around 10 a.m. as deputies investigated Ponzer's murder. At the time they did not know about the second shooting.
According to the Amber Alert, Seraphina was believed to have been taken by Gingles in a 2016 silver BMW X3 with the Texas license plate that was last seen heading east on West Commercial Boulevard.
The sheriff's office said at the time, it was believed that Mary Gingles was with them.
Shortly after 11 a.m., Nathan and Seraphina Gingles were found when deputies with the sheriff's office Violence Intervention Proactive Enforcement Response team located the BMW near a Walmart Supercenter on West McNab Road in North Lauderdale.
Gingles was arrested. However, Mary Gingles was not with them. Gingles and Ferrin's bodies would be found later that afternoon.
Gingles denied bond on murder charges
On Tuesday, Gingles was relaxed facing a judge who ordered him held without bond on the murder charges and set a $2 million bond on additional charges that included violating a domestic violence protection order, armed burglary, kidnapping, child abuse and child neglect.
Prior warning signs
On Facebook, friends of Mary Gingles describe her as having a huge heart and a light shining bright.
Mary Gingles had filed a restraining order against Nathan Gingles last February after a domestic violence incident and also filed for divorce.
"Because of Nathan's psychotic behavior, his multiple silencer firearms and impending divorce I'm afraid he will kill me," she wrote in her filing, according to court documents. "I am willing to submit to psychological testing and believe it necessary Nathan do the same."
In court on Tuesday it appeared the judge agreed, with the judge ordering Nathan Gingles to undergo a mental health screening.
