PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – A man accused of fatally shooting his partner and her three sons – two of whom were also his – has died, authorities announced Monday.
According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, Stephen McKenzie, 34, died last Thursday, a day after the shooting, which occurred at the family’s apartment building along the 3100 block of West Hallandale Beach Boulevard.
The children’s mother, 32-year-old Julie Cruz, was killed after investigators say McKenzie opened fire on his family.
Detectives believe McKenzie then shot his own two sons, Nova and Emery, both just 2 years old, killing them both.
And then, according to authorities, he shot their other siblings, critically injuring Cruz’s daughter, Phiinix, and killing her son, Xion, who were both from a previous relationship.
He then turned the gun on himself, authorities said.
Phiinix and Xion’s father, Kelvin Solomon, told Local 10 News that his son died trying to protect his siblings.
“He died protecting his mother and protecting his sister,” he said.
Records show McKenzie had no known criminal history.
Solomon told Local 10 News that McKenzie and Cruz were on the verge of a rocky separation.
“Domestic violence is definitely a scary thing,” he said.
A GoFundMe page was created to help with costs associated with Phiinix and Xion Solomon, and it can be found by clicking here.
Additionally, a GoFundMe page was also created to help Phiinix Solomon with costs related to her recovery and future, and it can be found by clicking here.