LIBERTY COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) — The Liberty County Sheriff's Office says two men are dead after a murder-suicide in the Telogia Community Saturday night.
On March 23, at approximately 9:35 p.m., the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a physical altercation involving two male subjects in the 18000 block of NE Blueberry Trail in the Telogia Community.
As deputies were responding, the complainant reported at least one of the men was armed with a handgun.
Deputies arrived on scene and found an adult female at the residence. They also discovered the body of 31-year-old Dustin Ronald Martin of Quincy. They say Martin had died from an apparent gun shot wound in the living room of the home.
Further into the home, deputies found the body of 35-year-old Michael Paul Burke of Hosford. Burke appeared to have suffered from multiple stab and gunshot wounds.
The scene was secured and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Crime Scene Unit were called to assist with the investigation.
After reviewing the evidence found at the scene and interviewing witnesses, investigators learned Martin had been at the home earlier in the day to drop off a child he had in common with the female who lives at the home. Around 9:30 p.m., Martin returned to the residence after Burke had arrived there.
That's when deputies say Martin and Burke got into a fight in the yard. During the fight, Martin stabbed Burke multiple times. Burke then went back inside and secured the home while Martin went to his vehicle and got a handgun.
LCSO says Martin forced his way inside the home through a window and found Burke in the back of the home. Martin then fired two rounds from the handgun, hitting Burke. Martin then returned to the living room area of the home and shot himself in the head.
Evidence collected from the home by the FDLE Crime Scene Unit and will be processed by the FDLE Crime Lab. Deputies say autopsies will be performed by the Second Circuit Medial Examiner’s Office.
The investigation into this incident is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this case that has not already spoken with investigators is asked to contact the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office at (850)643-2235.
