MARION COUNTY, Fla. — A 47-year-old man was arrested Thursday, one day after he fatally shot his wife's ex-husband while he was visiting his three children at the gunman's home near Dunnellon, the Marion County Sheriff's Office said.
Deputies said they were called at about 7 p.m. Wednesday to the home on Southwest 106th Place near Southwest 134th Court after Eric Matthews shot Gerald Lee Bryant, 50, of Spring Hill.
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Investigators said Matthews is married to Bryant's ex-wife and lives with her and Bryant's three children. They said Bryant's ex-wife had invited him over to spend time with their children.
Matthews' wife sent him a text message notifying him of Bryant's visit, deputies said.
"If I show up, it ain't gonna be good," Matthews said in a text message, according to an arrest report.
Deputies said Matthews was unhappy that Bryant was at the home, so he went home and started a fight with Bryant, which ended when he shot Bryant in the chest in front of two of his children.
Detectives said that after the shooting, Matthews said, "Bang, (expletive). I told you. Bye bye, (expletive)," before walking away.
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"We are so terribly sad for the children, that they had to see that," said Lauren Lettelier, a Sheriff's Office spokeswoman, said. "I mean, being so young -- 9 and 11 years old -- and seeing your father die. It's tremendous trauma, and our prayers go out to the family."
Matthews was booked into the Marion County Jail on charges of second-degree murder and two counts of battery. He is being held without bail.