WINDERMERE, Fla. – Keene’s Crossing Elementary School in Windermere was placed on hold status Tuesday afternoon as law enforcement responded to a domestic-related shooting investigation nearby, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said.
Deputies responded at about 2:30 p.m. to the 14000 block of Sonco Avenue.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies found a woman who had been shot. She was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Investigators said they believed the suspected gunman had gone back inside the home following the shooting. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office called in its SWAT team and established a large perimeter around the neighborhood.
The elementary school, located on Keenes Pheasant Drive, began following hold procedures. Orange County Public Schools said parents were notified and school representatives were at the scene.
“Keene’s Crossing Elementary School families were notified that the campus was placed on a secure due to police activity in the area unrelated to the school. All students and staff are safe.”
Orange County Public Schools
At the time, deputies said they have reason to believe the suspect may still be inside the home and that the situation remained fluid.
But around 8 p.m., the sheriff’s office announced that the suspect was found dead. He was identified as 66-year-old Richard Stoner.
“After hours of making callouts for the suspect to come out of the residence, this evening, deputies made entry and found the suspect deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound,” investigators told News 6.
Neighbors in the Summerport neighborhood said they were shocked by the heavy law enforcement presence.
“Honestly, they are just in shock. This doesn’t really happen around here,” one neighbor said. “It’s a quiet part of Orlando, so it’s definitely quite shocking.”
Another resident described the scene as unsettling, with roads closed and police vehicles lining the area.
A hold is used to limit movement on campus while normal operations continue inside classrooms.