TAMARAC, Fla. – A family member of two of the three people killed in a Tamarac shooting over the weekend is demanding answers after learning that the Broward Sheriff’s Office announced the suspension of several deputies after an internal probe revealed serious shortcomings.
“Why did this happen? How did you fail so badly?!” said Briana Gulas, a cousin of Mary Gingles and niece of David Ponzer, in an interview with Local 10′s Roy Ramos on Thursday.
Authorities said Nathan Gingles first killed his father-in-law Ponzer, 64, at the home of his estranged wife, Mary Gingles, 34, at 5897 N. Plum Bay Parkway in Tamarac on Sunday. Deputies said Nathan Gingles shot Ponzer in the head “while he innocently drank coffee on his back patio.”
According to an arrest warrant, Mary Gingles, who witnessed the killing, ran away seeking help. She was a victim of domestic violence who had recently received an injunction against her estranged husband, authorities said.
Authorities said Nathan Gingles, with 4-year-old daughter Seraphine in tow, chased down Mary Gingles as she ran to the home of 36-year-old neighbor Andrew Ferrin at 5888 N. Plum Bay Parkway.
Deputies said Nathan Gingles shot both Mary Gingles and Ferrin. The warrant stated that investigators found both dead on the floor.
Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony acknowledged the department’s failures on Wednesday, saying, “I am basically saying we had a chance to save your loved ones’ life and we failed.”
As a result, one lieutenant, two sergeants, and four deputies have been suspended.
BSO identified the deputies suspended as:
- Tamarac Lt. Michael Paparella, 50, a 28-year veteran
- Tamarac Sgt. Travis Allen, 45, an 18-year veteran
- Tamarac Sgt. Devoune Williams, 51, a 20-year veteran
- Tamarac Deputy ILany Ceballos, 27, a 5-year veteran
- Tamarac Deputy Brittney King, 29, a 5-year veteran
- Civil Division Deputy Joseph Sasso, 57, an 8-year veteran
- Dania Beach Deputy Daniel Munoz, 29, a 5-year veteran
Radio transmissions obtained by Local 10 News reveal the chaos deputies encountered that day. “They’re now advising it’s gonna be a total of nine shots,” one dispatcher said.
But Tony said the department’s failures go beyond that day.
According to court records, Gingles had repeatedly violated a restraining order, and in December, an injunction required BSO to confiscate his weapons. Despite this, deputies returned them in October.
“The sheriffs knew he was erratic. Enough to take his weapons away and then give them back,” Gulas said.
Tony did not mince words about his department’s actions.
“This is just a matter of what I’ve seen is just piss-poor performance, complacency and people not doing their due diligence,” he said.
Adding to the outrage, Gulas says a deputy saw Gingles walking hand-in-hand with his barefoot daughter, who had just witnessed the murders, but failed to stop or question him.
“The only hope that we have in this process is that it will change for somebody else’s benefit,” she added.
Jail records show Nathan Gingles faces a host of felony charges including three counts of first-degree murder. As of Thursday, he was being held without bond at the BSO Main Jail.
A vigil has been planned for Sunday evening as the community mourns the victims. Meanwhile, the deputies’ suspensions remain under review.
The union representing them has not yet responded to Local 10′s request for comment.