Two found shot dead in Weirsdale Dollar General parking lot, deputies say

WEIRSDALE, Fla. — Two people were found shot dead in the parking lot of a Weirsdale discount store Saturday morning, the Marion County Sheriff's Office said.

Deputies began the death investigation at the Dollar General on SE Highway 42 around 10 a.m.

Investigators found Stephanie Gonzalez, 39, and Jeffrey Durden, 44, dead in a maroon SUV parked near the back of the store, said Lauren Lettelier, public information officer for the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

During the preliminary investigation, deputies said they learned Gonzalez and Durden were in a relationship, she said.

The medical examiner deemed both deaths a homicide Sunday morning.

During the investigation, deputies attempted to speak with Gonzalez's husband Joseph in a Burger King parking lot of Southeast Maricamp Road -- but he shot himself before deputies were able to speak with him.

Anyone with information regarding the deaths is urged to call the Marion County Sheriff's Office.

%

%

Cox Media Group