Man, woman found dead following Port Charlotte murder-suicide

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – Two people were found dead Friday night following a murder-suicide outside a fast food restaurant.

Authorities responded to McDonalds, 3232 Tamiami Trail, at about 7 p.m. after receiving multiple 911 calls regarding an active shooter and shots being fired, said Skip Conroy, Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office spokesman.

Shots were being fired as deputies arrived, but they did not return fire, Conroy said.

Witnesses said about two dozen shots were fired.

Witnesses, including a woman who worked inside the McDonalds, said the deceased were a couple and the shooting happened in front of their young son.

U.S. Highway 41 was temporarily closed in both directions immediately following the shooting:

US41 & JNO Easy St – 41 Shut down for NB & SB due to shooting Avoid area pic.twitter.com/Cs55yJwsWO

— CharlotteCountyATMS (@CharlotteATMS) April 29, 2016

The roadway has since reopened.

Rick Danfora was in the area right after the shooting.

“I seen the cops flying over here and then they were coming,” he said. “They were all with guns drawn and pointing at the car so it was a…it was a whole bunch of cops.”

Rojas Larue also arrived at the restaurant following the incident.

“Man, all I can do is pray about the situation,” he said. “You know, my prayers go out to the family of the people inside really.”