TAMARAC, Fla. – A heavy police presence was observed in a Broward County neighborhood early Sunday morning.
The scene was located along the 5800 block of N Plum Bay Parkway in Tamarac.
Local 10 News’ Hannah Yechivi and her crew saw all sorts of police activity, from deputies in full gear to a chopper flying around, and even a K9 unit to assist with the investigation.
6 p.m. report:
Video obtained by Local 10 News shows a house surrounded by yellow tape.
According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to reports of a shooting and upon arrival, located a man who was suffering from a fatal gunshot wound.
Authorities said they believed a 4-year-old girl identified as Seraphina Gingles was taken from the home and an Amber Alert was issued for her.
The girl’s mother, 34-year-old Mary Catherine Gingles, was also possibly missing, according to the alert, and both were considered to be endangered.
Deputies later said Mary Catherine Gingles was found dead inside a home on the 5800 block of Plum Bay Parkway in Tamarac.
The girl was believed to be with 43-year-old Nathan Gingles, who was last seen in a 2016 silver BMW X3 with Texas license plate 5DV2950.
Police said the vehicle was located along the 7900 block of West McNabb Road in North Lauderdale shortly before 11 a.m. and that they located both Seraphina and Nathan Gingles.
Deputies said Gingles has been arrested on a charge of violating an injunction regarding no contact with the child, and that the investigation remains active and ongoing.
Court records show the former couple was in and out of court over the past year over child custody arrangements and domestic violence accusations.
Just three and a half weeks ago, a judge granted Mary Catherine Gingles an extension on a restraining order she filed against Nathan.
According to a neighbor, the woman who lives inside the home has a restraining order against her ex, adding that the woman has recently had a lot of problems with that man. For example, just a few weeks ago, that ex showed up to the house with a ladder to possibly gain access through a window. The neighbor also says that same woman who lives inside the house came running over early Sunday morning to another neighbor’s house asking for help.
A forensics unit was there for evidence collection.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.