POMPANO BEACH, FL – In a quiet neighborhood near Copans Road and I-95, a tragic scene unfolded as Broward County Sheriff’s detectives confirmed a double murder-suicide. The grim discovery was made inside a rental home where 80-year-old James Sheridan reportedly shot a woman and another man before turning the gun on himself.
The incident shocked residents of the Leisureville neighborhood, who described Sheridan and his family as unassuming tenants. Neighbors recalled Sheridan as a courteous man, often seen waving as he drove by. Despite living in close proximity, many admitted they didn’t know the family well.
Authorities were alerted to the home late Wednesday night when a welfare check went unanswered. Ring camera footage captured deputies searching for a way inside. Eventually, Pompano Beach Fire Rescue entered the home and found the three individuals dead from gunshot wounds.
The revelation of the double murder-suicide has left the community grappling with disbelief. “It’s nerve-wracking,” one neighbor expressed, highlighting the distress of having such violence occur so close to home. Another neighbor mentioned that the family had lived in the area for about a year and worked together at a nearby thrift store, which has since closed temporarily.
As investigators work to determine the exact timing of the shootings, neighbors reflect on the unsettling nature of the tragedy. A resident noted seeing the family as recently as Monday, making the sudden loss even more jarring.
The neighborhood remains in shock, processing the reality that such a heartbreaking event could happen right next door. The investigation continues as detectives piece together the circumstances leading up to the deadly incident.