POMPANO BEACH, FL. (THECOUNT) — Suzanne Courtade, 66, and her 23-year-old daughter, Meghan Courtade, both of Pompano Beach, have been identified as the two women shot and killed Thursday night outside a home in Pompano Beach. A man initially detained for questioning, David Keith Thornton, has since been arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded to reports of gunfire near an apartment complex in the 1500 block of Southwest Fifth Avenue at approximately 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12.
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When deputies arrived, they found the two women suffering from gunshot wounds outside a home. Pompano Beach Fire Rescue crews also responded and pronounced both victims dead at the scene, authorities said.
Investigators initially detained one man for questioning as they worked to determine what happened. The sheriff’s office later identified that man as Thornton and announced that he had been arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
Authorities have not released further details about the circumstances leading up to the shooting or a possible motive.
Neighbors told CBS Miami they heard several popping sounds around the time of the shooting. Some initially thought the noise might have been fireworks.
“We were sitting inside getting ready for the football game and just heard a couple of pops,” one neighbor identified as Sherry told the station. She said police and deputies arrived within seconds.
Sherry described the neighborhood as generally quiet, saying she had lived there for 20 years and was shocked by the violence.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office is investigating the killings. Thornton faces two counts of first-degree murder. The charges are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Pompano Beach is in Broward County in South Florida, north of Fort Lauderdale and within the Miami-Fort Lauderdale metropolitan area.
Approximate Google Maps location: 1500 block of Southwest Fifth Avenue, Pompano Beach
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