JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A man shot and killed his estranged wife and his stepdaughter before turning the gun on himself Wednesday afternoon at a condominium complex off Beach Boulevard near Kernan Boulevard, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said.
Police said it appears Alan Rush, 60, showed up at his estranged wife's home at the Monterey Condominiums and fatally shot her. Lori DeNoewer Rush was 52 years old.
While Alan Rush was in the home, his stepdaughter, 30-year-old Elizabeth Christine Ceratt, came by to check on her mother, and Alan Rush shot and killed her too, police said.
Alan Rush then called 911 just after 3:30 p.m. and said two people had been shot in the home.
"Patrols cautiously approached the residence because, at the time, they did not (have) any suspect information available to them," said Sheriff's Office Sgt. Chuck Ford at a media briefing Wednesday night.
Officers found Alan Rush dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside the condo, which News4Jax was told is in Building 5.
Daphne Hecko, who lives at the complex, told News4Jax that she was in her condo when her roommate called to make sure she was alright.
"It's actually crazy because nothing ever happens like this around here. I moved here because I was told it's so safe and nothing is going to happen like this," she said. "I'm very shocked."
News4Jax crime and safety analyst Gil Smith said, unfortunately, these cases are not a rare occurrence.
"It can happen anywhere. We just don't know all the time why these things happen. It could be an extremely emotional situation. It could be something that was building over a long period of time."
The Sheriff's Office has classified the deaths as a double murder-suicide.
Friends, co-workers remember Lori Rush for her 'vibrant personality'
Residents and staff at the L'Arche Harbor House on Thursday were mourning the loss of Lori Rush, who had worked there for five years as a development director.
Many co-workers told News4Jax they were having a difficult time dealing with her death.
WATCH: Friend remembers Lori Rush
"We were notified last night by our executive director that something had happened," said Jenny Mazur, a board member for the L'Arche Harbor House.
Not only was Lori a valued employee, but she was also Mazur's close friend.
"We instantly connected. She has a vibrant personality," Mazur said. "She's going to make you laugh and make you smile and she would always tell you the truth right to your face."
Mazur said Lori's death was a major loss for the L'Arche Harbor House and the surrounding community.
“She did an incredible job hosting our events and raising funds and really making good community connections," Mazur said. "But more than that, she had a connection with all the core members here, so everybody here lost what they feel like is their sister, their aunt or best friend.”
News4Jax asked Mazur whether there were any signs that something was not right.
"Not at all. No. No," she replied. "I knew her to be vibrant and social and active and not have any stress like that."
The Sheriff's Office continues to investigate.