A Florida man is accused of killing two next-door neighbors during a dispute over a basketball hoop and their property line — and was allegedly caught on camera by his own home security system.
Norman Scott, 63, called 911 on Saturday and said he shot the couple, Taylor and Tara Jones, in self-defense after they attacked him, according to a police report.
But authorities who responded to the scene in Wellington, near West Palm Beach, spotted numerous surveillance cameras on Scott's home and got a search warrant to review footage stored on his cellphone, the report said.
"The video surveillance unequivocally establishes that the shooting was completely malicious and unprovoked," Detective James Evans of the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office wrote.
The video allegedly shows Scott and Taylor Jones "looking and pointing" at a basketball hop set up between their Wellington Street homes.
Scott was "aggressively and belligerently pointing and waving his right hand" in Taylor Jones' face before he pulled out a handgun and opened fire around 5:25 p.m. according to the report.
Taylor Jones was holding up his hands and backing away when a barrage of three to four shots sent him to the ground and Scott allegedly continued shooting as the victim lay on his back.
Scott then allegedly turned and began firing as he moved toward Tara Jones, who was standing on her property about 20 to 30 feet away when she was repeatedly shot.
Scott then walked back toward his house and allegedly fired two more rounds at Taylor Jones.
A neighbor who heard the gunfire and went outside told authorities he tried to aid the victims and asked Scott if he'd heard anything.
"Don't worry, I shot them both," Scott allegedly answered.
On Monday, Taylor Jones' stepmother, Gretchen Froelich, told local TV station WPTV that he and Tara Jones had four kids ranging in age from 7 to 13.
"He was an awesome dad and they were all about their family and the kids," Froelich said. "She was a full-time mom and fiercely devoted to her family and growing a healthy family."
Froehlich also described the deadly turn of events as "horrific" and "very devastating."
Scott was charged with two counts of first-degree murder with a firearm.
He waived his arraignment and was ordered held without bail pending a June 3 court appearance, according to online records.
