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Man died shielding wife from bullets in Weirsdale home invasion, family says

WEIRSDALE, Fla. — As investigators continue searching for clues in a Weirsdale home invasion that left two people dead, family members say 38-year-old Andy Fockler died trying to protect his family.

Fockler was killed Sunday along with his stepson, Bailey Zylo, 18, when two masked individuals forced their way into the home on SE 151st Place Road at about 8:45 a.m., deputies said.

Once inside, the intruders opened fire, hitting and killing the two victims, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said.

When the shots started going off, family members said, Fockler moved to shield his wife from the flying bullets.

Investigators have been at the home since the shooting and were seen removing evidence bags after searching the home and nearby wooded areas.

Deputies said the invaders were there to commit a robbery and made off with some of the family’s property, but detectives have not released a list of what was stolen.

There were numerous people inside the home at the time of the shooting but family members said they did not have any idea who may have been involved or why.

Investigators said more than 100 tips have poured in since the home invasion.

Friends of Zylo called him a hardworking senior at Lake Weir High School who was set to graduate in a few months.

His schoolmates held a candlelight vigil for him at the school Sunday.

Fockler worked at a local newspaper, officials said.

An investigation into the shooting is ongoing.