Tragedy struck a quiet West Palm Beach neighborhood when a couple, just one week into their marriage, were found dead from gunshot wounds on Saturday morning. According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, deputies made their way to a home on Summit Run Circle after receiving reports of a shooting. There, they discovered the lifeless bodies of a man and a woman. A neighbor, Dicter Pineda, admitted to WPTV, "I heard what sounded like gunshots, but I thought people were just working on someone's roof so I ignored it and went into the house." as WFLA reported on the incident in detail, including community reactions of shock and horror over the couple's deaths.
Sony Josaphat, identified as a person of interest in the killings, was arrested and faces two counts of first-degree murder, according to WFLX. Details leading to his arrest remain under investigation. During his first court appearance yesterday morning, Josaphat was ordered to be held without bond in the Palm Beach County jail. Mourning for loss, family and church members were seen gathered outside the house, still coming to terms with the devastating news.
The victims, whose names have yet to be released officially, were remembered fondly by a woman at the scene who claimed to be the sister of the female victim. Speaking with WPTV reporter Briana Nespral, she detailed how her sister, a 45-year-old nurse practitioner who moved to the U.S. from Haiti 25 years ago, was married to the man, a pastor, on what was also her birthday on Dec. 2. "She has never been as happy as she was now," the sister said to WFLA while sharing a wedding photo of the couple.
A report by WFLX highlighted the presence of three of the woman's children in the house during the shooting, including an adult who witnessed it. At approximately 8:36 a.m., PBSO spokeswoman Teri Barbera said deputies responded to the scene. Neighbors left reeling by the violence spoke of their disbelief, with one, Deanne Germeil, telling WPTV's Cassandra Garcia, "It's pretty quiet and we don’t have too many things over here so I don't know how this happened." The close-knit community, bonded through church and shared experiences, now must grapple with the loss of its two members.
