PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. – A Pembroke Pines man killed his wife and then killed himself days later when police officers arrived at his home, authorities said Tuesday. The couple left behind four young daughters.
According to Pembroke Pines police, officers were called to a home in the area of Northwest 76th Avenue and Sixth Street just after 9 a.m. Tuesday after someone called the police department and said four children who live at the home hadn't attended school for a week.
Police said officers found the homeowner outside his house, and he appeared to be impaired.
According to police, the man said he was going through hard times because his wife had left him.
Authorities said the man was asked by officers whether he was drunk or on drugs, to which he replied, "Yes."
"At that time, the officers were concerned for their safety and asked the individual to please turn around as they were going to check him to make sure that he didn't have any weapons on him," Pembroke Pines police Capt. Al Xiques said.
That's when the man pulled out a gun and fatally shot himself, Xiques said.
Four children under the age of 10 were found in the home, but all showed no signs of physical injuries. The youngest was 3 years old.
"We're working with the Department of Children and Families to ensure that they're placed in a safe environment," Xiques said.
The body of a woman, later discovered to be the man's wife, was found in a rear bedroom. It appeared that she had been dead for several days, Xiques said.
Police did not disclose the woman's cause of death. She and her husband's identities have not yet been publicly released.
Neighbors told Local 10 News they heard popping sounds Wednesday or Thursday that may have been gunshots. They said they never had any issues with their neighbors, whose daughters were often seen playing outside.