Man Kills Mother, Self After Beating Girlfriend

"PALM BAY, FL — Palm Bay police say a man who allegedly shot and killed his mother and then himself was apparently upset over the death of his father and a fight with his pregnant girlfriend.

"Keith Jay, 29, allegedly shot and killed his mother, Ruth Jay, 54, before taking his own life, Palm Bay police spokeswoman Yvonne Martinez said. The incident occurred within 24 hours of a dispute between Keith Jay and his pregnant girlfriend, she said.

"Officials said the murder-suicide occurred early Saturday at the family’s home in the 100 block of Certosa Avenue NE.

"`He was upset over the anniversary of his dad’s death,` Martinez said, adding that witnesses said Keith Jay had been drinking much of the day before the shootings. Martinez said Keith Jay got into an argument with his girlfriend, who police did not identify the woman because she is a victim of domestic violence.

"`He did have an argument with her,` she said. `He beat her pretty severely.`

"The woman, who is expected to recover, went to get help from a neighbor and did not know about the murder-suicide when police contacted her, Martinez said.

"The shootings were reported at the home about 1 a.m. Saturday, police Sgt. Jesse Eakins said. Certosa Avenue is a residential street just northwest of the intersection of Malabar Road and Emerson Drive.

"According to an initial investigation report, Jay had threatened suicide before."

From floridatoday.com...