Paul Michael Merhige is being sought by police after they discovered four shot dead in Florida. Included in the four shot dead dead is six-year-old Makayla Sitton, Paul Michael Merhige’s cousin. Merhige is also accused of killing his twin sisters and his aunt.
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Little Makayla’s father, Jim Sitton, stated the following:
“God has blessed us with this beautiful girl, and he just took her home a little bit earlier than we wanted,” he said, struggling to hold back tears.
Police in Jupiter Florida are searching for Paul Michael Merhige who is believed to be driving a blue 2007 Toyota Camry, four-door, with Florida license plate W42 7JT.
There were approximately 17 people in the home during the shootings. The shootings occurred at approximately 10 p.m. Thanksgiving night and one of the victims was pregnant.
A motive has not been disclosed, but CNN is reporting that the shooter had some sort of “ongoing resentment” towards his family. The home where the shootings occurred was owned by Jim Sitton and it appears that Makayla was shot while she was in bed.
This story would be disturbing any time of the year, but the fact that it happened on Thanksgiving really bothers me. I do not know why Paul Michael Merhige would think that it would be necessary to shoot family members, especially a six year old cousin, with 17 other family members in the home. To read “Four Shot Dead in Florida” on Thanksgiving really bothers me. I hope that the family can find comfort during this time of year despite the tragedy that occurred.