Brother, sister found dead in murder-suicide at Florida general store
By Madilyn Destefano
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APOPKA, Florida (WESH) — Two people found dead in an Apopka general store on Friday were part of a murder-suicide, police confirmed on Monday afternoon.
It was a brother and a sister.
The Apopka Police Department conducted a death investigation after responding to Griffin General Store at 262 W. Michael Gladden Boulevard at around 8:55 p.m., and finding the siblings deceased.
According to investigators, the suspect fatally shot his sister before he died by suicide.
The victims were later identified as Schneita and Ezra Swift.
“Evidence collected at the scene, witness statements and forensic findings confirm that this was an isolated domestic violence incident between family members,” Apopka police said in a news release Monday.
The Apopka Police Department encourages anyone experiencing domestic violence or family conflict to seek support via the following resources:
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
‘They were just lovable people’
People who live and work in the area say the victims were well known in the community.
The owner of the store said one of the victims, Schneita Swift, previously worked at the business.
A small memorial has grown outside the store as friends and neighbors try to process the loss.
“She was a sweet girl. Her brother was a sweet dude. They didn’t bother anyone,” said Kizzy Ward, a longtime friend of the family. “They were just lovable people.”
Ward said she has known the siblings for years and is hoping their family finds peace.
“It’s hurtful,” Ward said. “You’re here today, gone tomorrow. I just saw him walking the other day.”
The daughter of one of the victims told WESH 2 she was too emotional to speak on camera but shared photos of her mother and uncle.
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