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Eight Florida officers fired and 11 disciplined for handling of murder case Eight Florida officers fired and 11 disciplined for handling of murder case
(3 days later)
Broward county found deputies failed to look into Mary Gingles’ domestic violence reports leading up to her killingBroward county found deputies failed to look into Mary Gingles’ domestic violence reports leading up to her killing
A south Florida sheriff’s office has fired six more deputies and disciplined 11 others for their handling of the case of Mary Gingles, a woman who investigators say was murdered by her estranged husband after she had warned authorities for months that she feared he would kill her.A south Florida sheriff’s office has fired six more deputies and disciplined 11 others for their handling of the case of Mary Gingles, a woman who investigators say was murdered by her estranged husband after she had warned authorities for months that she feared he would kill her.
Two officers had previously been dismissed for their role in the case.Two officers had previously been dismissed for their role in the case.
An internal investigation found that multiple Broward county sheriff’s office deputies failed to properly investigate Gingles’ reports of domestic violence perpetrated by her husband, Nathan Gingles, before he allegedly carried out the triple homicide of his wife, her father – David Ponzer – and her neighbor Andrew Ferrin, as the Gingles’ four-year-old daughter begged her father to stop. An internal investigation found that multiple Broward county sheriff’s office deputies failed to properly investigate Gingles’ reports of domestic violence perpetrated by her husband, Nathan Gingles, before he allegedly carried out the triple homicide of his wife; her father, David Ponzer; and her neighbor Andrew Ferrin, as the Gingles’ four-year-old daughter begged her father to stop.
Nathan Gingles has pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.Nathan Gingles has pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.
The killings – despite Mary Gingles’ repeated pleas for help – have shaken the south Florida community of Tamarac and ignited fresh scrutiny of officers’ failure to use the state’s red flag law to remove firearms from a person deemed a danger to themselves or others.The killings – despite Mary Gingles’ repeated pleas for help – have shaken the south Florida community of Tamarac and ignited fresh scrutiny of officers’ failure to use the state’s red flag law to remove firearms from a person deemed a danger to themselves or others.
Following through on threats that Mary Gingles had repeatedly reported, on 16 February 2025, Nathan Gingles fatally shot his father-in-law as he was drinking coffee on the back patio of the family’s home, according to investigators. He also is accused of chasing Mary down the street and killing her and Ferrin, a neighbor whose home she fled to. Following through on threats that Mary Gingles had repeatedly reported, Nathan Gingles fatally shot his father-in-law on 16 February as he was drinking coffee on the back patio of the family’s home, according to investigators. He is also accused of chasing Mary down the street and killing her and Ferrin, a neighbor whose home she fled to.
“We had multiple opportunities to protect Mary during the months preceding her death when she alerted us to the domestic violence she was experiencing,” the Broward county sheriff, Gregory Tony, said in a statement. “The deputies and detectives assigned to investigate these cases failed their training and, ultimately, failed to handle Mary’s repeated cries for help with the urgency required.”“We had multiple opportunities to protect Mary during the months preceding her death when she alerted us to the domestic violence she was experiencing,” the Broward county sheriff, Gregory Tony, said in a statement. “The deputies and detectives assigned to investigate these cases failed their training and, ultimately, failed to handle Mary’s repeated cries for help with the urgency required.”
According to an investigation by the Miami Herald, in the year leading up to her murder, Mary Gingles had confided in friends, family and law enforcement officers that she feared her estranged husband would kill her.According to an investigation by the Miami Herald, in the year leading up to her murder, Mary Gingles had confided in friends, family and law enforcement officers that she feared her estranged husband would kill her.
He repeatedly violated restraining orders barring him from the family’s home, terrorizing his wife by putting a tracker on her car and leaving a backpack full of supplies such as duct tape and zip ties in the garage, the investigation found.He repeatedly violated restraining orders barring him from the family’s home, terrorizing his wife by putting a tracker on her car and leaving a backpack full of supplies such as duct tape and zip ties in the garage, the investigation found.
Gingles’ alleged behavior in the months leading up to the killings was consistent with what experts say are known risk factors for further abuse, including deadly violence.Gingles’ alleged behavior in the months leading up to the killings was consistent with what experts say are known risk factors for further abuse, including deadly violence.
More female intimate partners are killed by firearms than by all other means combined, according to a federal justice department analysis of a study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).More female intimate partners are killed by firearms than by all other means combined, according to a federal justice department analysis of a study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“One of the most crucial steps to prevent lethal violence is to disarm abusers and keep them disarmed,” the justice department’s report stated.“One of the most crucial steps to prevent lethal violence is to disarm abusers and keep them disarmed,” the justice department’s report stated.