A man remains “at large” after he allegedly gunned down his wife and another man she was potentially having an affair with outside of a Florida library, authorities said.
Police are searching for Jesse Scott Ellis following the fatal shootings of his wife, Stacie Ellis Mason, and Danny Ooley at the Indian River County Main Library in Vero Beach the morning of Tuesday, March 24, according to Vero Beach Police Chief David Currey.
The killings were “a crime of passion,” Currey said at a Wednesday, March 25, news conference.
An investigation revealed that Ellis, 64, and his wife were “potentially separating or divorcing” and that she had been romantically involved with Ooley, Currey shared at the news conference.
Ellis, who had been married to Mason for 13 years, was “upset” about the potential affair, according to Currey.
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On March 24, Mason and Ooley met with each other in the parking lot of the library, Currey said.
Ooley first parked his car and was then joined by Mason, who Currey said had gotten into Ooley’s vehicle.
Detectives obtained surveillance footage that captured Ellis approaching Ooley’s car and opening fire on both Ooley and Mason with what was described as an automatic, long gun, Currey said.
Ellis shot Ooley first, then his wife, according to Currey, who said the alleged murder weapon was found at the scene.
Following the killings, authorities located Ellis’ truck abandoned at South Beach, Currey said.
A local citizen reported seeing Ellis swim out into the ocean, according to police.
Investigators believe Ellis could have potentially drowned or possibly emerged from the water, Currey said.
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As of March 25, boats and vehicles were searching for Ellis along the beach, according to Currey.
According to Indian River County, Ooley worked as the county’s Public Works assistant director, WPBF reported. Mason also worked for the county as a traffic technician.
“The reality of this loss is profound, and there are no words that can fully capture its weight,” County Chairman Deryl Loar and County Administrator John A. Titkanich, Jr., told the TV station in a joint statement. “Danny and Stacie were not just employees, but colleagues and dedicated public servants who supported this community every day. Their absence is deeply felt across our organization and the community they served.”
The Vero Beach Police Department is asking the public to contact the agency with any information about Ellis’ potential whereabouts.
Ellis is described as having blue eyes, gray hair and being 6-foot-4.
