TAMARAC, Fla. — Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony on Friday said his deputies had “every opportunity” to save lives during a February triple homicide in Tamarac, but failed — announcing that six deputies have been fired and 13 others disciplined following an internal affairs investigation.
“We had a chance to save that woman’s life and we failed,” Tony said during a news conference. “Anyone with a badge and a gun who thinks that is acceptable can resign today.”
6 p.m. report:
The disciplinary actions stem from the response to a Feb. 16 shooting, when authorities say 43-year-old Nathan Gingles fatally shot his estranged wife, 34-year-old Mary Gingles, her father, 64-year-old David Ponzer, and neighbor Andrew Ferrin, 36.
Court records show Mary had obtained a restraining order and repeatedly reported threats to BSO deputies in the weeks leading up to the killings.
The six employees who were terminated were identified as Sgt. Travis Allen, Deputy Brittney King, Deputy Daniel Munoz, Deputy Lemar Blackwood, Deputy Eric Klisiak and Sgt. Devoune Williams.
Deputies Dia Cross, Eric Baldy, Daniel Lovallo and Daimeon Nelson were given 10-day suspensions. Deputy Sophie Riggs received a suspension increase from five to 15 days and was placed on criminal training, while Deputy Ilany Cebalos was suspended for five days. Two other deputies had allegations against them dismissed.
Tony displayed a timeline of the events, showing how deputies staged nearby instead of moving toward the home as Mary ran for her life.
A neighbor who called 911 reported hearing gunshots and screams. Investigators found deputies remained in their vehicles for more than 20 minutes before approaching the scene.
“That is not within policy, that’s not what we train,” Tony said, noting BSO’s active shooter policy requires deputies to intervene immediately to protect lives. “Seconds matter. They’re the difference between life and death.”
BSO’s internal review included 47 sworn statements and hours of surveillance and neighborhood video.
Tony said failures began with deputies who handled Mary’s prior domestic violence reports, but the most glaring mistakes came the day of the shootings, when deputies did not intervene as Gingles killed his wife and neighbor after fatally shooting Ponzer in his backyard.
Deputy union president Dan Rakofsky disagreed with Tony’s decision, saying the case should not have cost deputies their jobs.
“Each and every one of these members’ cases will be heard in arbitration,” Rakofsky said. “We are confident the facts will show that our members could not have done anything different to change the tragic outcome of that day.”
Ferrin’s uncle, reacting to the outcome of the investigation, said accountability was important but questioned whether it would lead to change.
“It doesn’t bring my nephew back,” he said. “Mistakes were made and lives were lost. I’m glad that there is accountability, but is it going to change anything?”
Tony emphasized that the agency must learn from the incident.
“I accept accountability. I’m here to bear the responsibility of what goes wrong,” Tony said. “This is really bothersome for me. Either they were incompetent at the moment or just cowards. I can assure you that moving forward, we will be better.”
Nathan Gingles, a U.S. military veteran, was arrested after a tense standoff, during which deputies said he was seen walking with his barefoot 4-year-old daughter, Seraphine. Detectives believe the child witnessed the shootings.
Body camera footage obtained by Local 10 News in April shows him being taken down and arrested by Broward deputies at the Walmart at 7900 W. McNab Road in North Lauderdale on Feb. 16. He was with Seraphine at the time of his arrest.
“Don’t you f---ing move, dude,” a BSO deputy tells Gingles in the video. “You are going to get shot.”
Tony said he spoke with the victims’ families Thursday and told them the department takes full responsibility for the deaths of their loved ones.
“This was not an organizational or administrational failure,” Tony said. “This is about making sure we improve and reinvest in our people.”
“I accept accountability. I’m here to bear the responsibility of what goes wrong,” he added. “This is really bothersome for me. Either they were incompetent at the moment or just cowards. I can assure you that moving forward, we will be better.”
Nathan Gingles remains held in the Broward County Main Jail on three counts of first-degree murder, kidnapping and other charges. His trial date has not yet been set.
Broward County prosecutors said in March they would seek the death penalty for Nathan Gingles.
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