ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A woman is dead and a 1-year-old child was injured in a shooting at an apartment complex Saturday, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
Merrie Garcia Berrios, 35, was pronounced dead after allegedly being shot by 28-year-old Ezequiel Umpierre Plasencia, who was also transported to the hospital, according to deputies.
The medical condition of Plasencia and the child is unknown, deputies said.
Officials said dispatchers received a call from out of the state at about 2:35 p.m., in which the reporting party said a woman and three children were being threatened by a man who also resided in the residence at the Park Apartments, located in the 7500 block of Park Promenade Drive.
The caller had been in touch with Garcia Berrios in the home, who advised that if the man "sees police, he will kill them," according to the Sheriff's Office.
"It was unclear what he meant," Deputy Christian Marrero said. "If he meant he would kill the police or if he would kill the persons inside the residence."
Deputies who were arriving at the scene heard multiple gunshots. Officials said three people were found with gunshot wounds.
"It sounded like party fireworks, and then I heard shrieking, yelling from multiple female voices," neighbor Pascal Duverger said. "It got real to me when they blocked off the apartment because, like, now we can't leave."
Garcia Berrios was pronounced dead at the scene, Plasencia had a self-inflicted gunshot wound and a 1-year-old child suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound, officials said. The child was taken to Arnold Palmer Hospital in stable condition.
There were two additional children in the home who were turned over to family members, officials said. OCSO victim advocates also responded. Deputies have not released the names of the individuals involved.
In November 2018, Plasencia was charged with domestic violence after allegedly grabbing, throwing and pushing Garcia onto a bed.
The case was dropped due to a no information notice.