Florida man shoots and kills roommates over arguments about ice-cream, police say
Ocala police update on double homicide investigation
Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken held a news conference on a deadly double shooting that happened Wednesday night.
OCALA, Fla. - A Florida man is accused of shooting and killing both of his roommates after an alleged argument over ice cream, according to the Ocala Police Department.
Mark Robinson is accused of killing his two roommates, Ocala Police say. Credit: FOX 35/Ocala Police Department
Ocala man arrested, accused of shooting, killing both of his roommates
What we know:
Police arrested 69-year-old Mark Robinson on Wednesday night under suspicion of second-degree murder after two men were shot at his home on SE 8th Street. Police said one person was found dead inside the home. A second person was found shot outside the home, and transported to the hospital, where they later died.
On Thursday, Ocala police shared new details about its investigation into the shooting deaths.
Police said officers initially responded to the home Wednesday morning after the three roommates were arguing over someone allegedly eating another person's ice cream. The two roommates then left the home and went on a walk, police said.
Robinson told police that he then armed himself with a shotgun at the home because he feared that something bad was going to happen. When both roommates returned, Robinson said he and the others got into another argument, which is when one roommate allegedly "charged" at Robinson while holding a knife, investigators said.
Police said the second roommate ran out of the home and onto the front yard, where Robinson shot him in the back. Robinson surrendered to police and admitted to shooting both of his roommates, police said.
Ocala Police: 'Dysfunctional living arrangement'
The backstory:
Police said they've responded to the home three times this year. Officials described the entire situation between Robinson and the roommates as a "dysfunctional living arrangement," and described Robinson as an "angry old man" with alleged alcohol issues.
Police said previous calls had to deal with disturbances between Robinson and his roommates or his neighbors.
Police said more charges are possible
What we don't know:
Ocala police said Robinson has been arrested on one count of second-degree murder in connection to the shooting of the roommate in the front yard. He has claimed self-defense for shooting the roommate he said was armed with a knife inside the home, which is still being investigated by detectives.
Ocala police said additional charges are possible.
The Source: This article was written with information gathered from a release and new conference by the Ocala Police Department.