Apopka man charged with murder in roommate shooting

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Paul Neff told police he shot and killed his roommate in self-defense on Nov. 5.

Officials said that during a lengthy investigation, they found holes in his story and Neff was arrested Thursday on a charge of first-degree murder.

Neff, 56, and Sean Davis, 46, were in a relationship and living together at the time of the shooting, investigators said.

Neff called 911 at about 8:30 p.m. to report he shot and killed Davis.

"I didn't know if it was on purpose or an accident. I guess they were fighting. We heard a little argument earlier," neighbor Dick Tracy said.

While looking into Neff’s allegations, investigators with the Joint Homicide Investigation Team found that he waited an hour to call 911 after the shooting. Evidence at the scene also did not support a self-defense claim, investigators said.

In addition, the JHIT found multiple text messages sent in the days leading up to the shooting in which Neff threatened to kill Davis, officials said.

Some texts released in the affidavit showed that Neff told Davis he would "cut (his) midsection in half with one shot" and "exterminate (him)."

Neff was being held without bond at the Orange County Jail.

Cox Media Group