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Orange County man fatally shot woman, injured toddler before shooting himself, deputies say

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A 28-year-old man fatally shot a 35-year-old woman, injured a 1-year-old and shot himself Saturday afternoon at an apartment complex near the Goldenrod neighborhood, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said.

Deputies said they were called shortly after 2:30 p.m. after someone from out of state reported that a man was threatening a woman and three children at The Park apartments near University Boulevard and North Goldenrod Road.

Investigators said Ezequiel Placencia told the caller that if he "sees police, he will kill them."

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Deputies said they heard gunfire upon their arrival and discovered three people who had been shot, including the gunman, Placencia, and his roommate, Merrie Berrios.

Investigators said Berrios died at the scene, Placencia was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center in critical condition and the toddler, whose identity was not publicly disclosed, was taken to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in stable condition.

They said the child's injuries are non-life-threatening.

Deputies said Placencia lived at the apartment with Berrios and three children. They did not specify how they knew one another.

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The two children who were uninjured are being cared for by relatives, investigators said.

Irene, a neighbor who asked Channel 9 to not disclose her last name, said she was awakened by the sound of gunfire Saturday afternoon.

"I was sleeping, and I woke up to noises. I thought it was something (that) fell, but then it sounded like gunshots," she said. "When I looked out of the window, I saw police coming in with guns in their hands."

Irene said she saw a body lying on the ground and a man carrying a child.

The shooting remains under investigation.

No other details were given.