A man in Florida is accused of carrying out a deadly shooting spree that resulted in the deaths of his estranged wife, her father, and a neighbor. Authorities allege that Nathan Gingles, 43, killed his 34-year-old wife, Mary Gingles, her father, David Ponzer, 64, and a neighbor, Andrew Ferrin, 36, in Tamarac. During the attack, he allegedly took his 4-year-old daughter, Seraphine Gingles, with him before she was later rescued in North Lauderdale the same day.
According to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, police responded to a shooting report around 6 a.m. on Sunday, February 16, where they found Ponzer fatally shot on his back patio. Surveillance footage from the neighborhood showed Mary desperately running from house to house seeking help. A neighbor, Adolfo Lang, later reported hearing loud banging on his door and seeing Mary knocking frantically. He then saw Nathan walking up his driveway with Seraphine, who was barefoot, as he pursued Mary.
Security footage near Ferrin’s home captured Mary running inside, with Nathan and the child following her while he carried a firearm. Shortly after, police discovered that both Mary and Ferrin had been fatally shot inside the residence. As part of their investigation, officers found a restraining order against Nathan placed on the kitchen table of Ponzer’s home. This discovery helped authorities track him down.
Nathan Gingles was arrested and is facing multiple charges, including three counts of first-degree murder, kidnapping, child abuse, and burglary. Court records do not indicate an attorney representing him in this case, and his plea information remains unclear. Previous legal records show that he had been involved in domestic violence cases with Mary. One of these cases was dismissed, while another remains active. A judge had extended a restraining order against him as recently as January.
Law enforcement officials continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack. Those experiencing domestic violence can seek confidential assistance through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or thehotline.org. Additionally, concerns about child abuse can be reported to the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or childhelp.org.
