Florida authorities investigating the fatal shootings of three people have revealed information on the circumstances surrounding the crime.
The victims — 34-year-old Mary Gingles, her father, 64-year-old David Ponzer, and their neighbor, 36-year-old Andrew Ferrin — were all found fatally shot across their two homes in Tamarac, Fla., on Sunday, Feb. 16, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office previously said... Continue reading here ▶
Gingles’ 4-year-old daughter, Seraphine Gingles, had briefly been missing before she was found in North Lauderdale along with her father Nathan Gingles, who was Mary’s estranged husband.
Nathan, 43, was arrested in connection with the slayings and Seraphine’s kidnapping, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office said.
Authorities responding to a report of a shooting on Sunday morning found Ponzer dead in his backyard with his coffee mug shattered next to him, according to a complaint affidavit obtained by PEOPLE.
During their search of the home, authorities came across a domestic violence injunction order on the kitchen table, per the affidavit. It had been issued against Nathan and stated he was not allowed to have contact with either Mary or Seraphine.
Per Broward County online court records reviewed by PEOPLE, Nathan had been accused of domestic violence against Mary on two occasions in the past year. One of those cases has since been dismissed, and another remains open, with a judge granting an extension of a restraining order as recently as January, online court records show.
Mary’s last moments before she was killed — documented through neighbors’ security cameras and the 911 caller — paint a horrifying picture of a woman running for her life.
Adolfo Lang, one of their neighbors, told police that he was awakened by “loud banging” on his front door around 6 a.m. on Sunday, the document states. When he checked his security camera, he saw Mary “running to his door and knocking frantically,” according to the affidavit.
Within seconds, Lang told investigators, he saw a man — who police believe is the suspect — walking up his driveway with a firearm and a “small, shoeless” child, per the affidavit.
As soon as Mary realized the suspect was approaching her, she began to flee, Lang told police. The home surveillance footage shows the suspect then raise a firearm to a “high ready” position before exiting the frame, according to the affidavit.
They found Mary and Ferrin dead in Ferrin’s home, and after reviewing security footage, police determined Mary was seeking refuge in the neighbor’s home and that he was an “innocent and unsuspecting” victim.
Nathan was charged with three counts of first-degree murder, one count of violating a protective order and one count of interfering with custody, per online court records. On Tuesday, he was charged additionally with kidnapping, child abuse, child neglect and burglary, per the affidavit.
Plea and attorney information for Nathan was not immediately available for the most recent charges against him. PEOPLE has reached out to an attorney representing Nathan in a previous domestic violence case, but it was not clear if she is representing him in this case.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
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