After break-up, cop shoots ex-girlfriend while she walks her dog, then kills himself

The Palm Beach County deputy who shot a woman and then turned the gun on himself Thursday has been identified as Michael DeMarco, police said.

The unidentified woman who survived the attempted murder suicide was the officer’s ex-girlfriend, police said Friday. She is in critical but stable condition.

According to deputies, the couple dated for about five months before breaking up about three weeks ago.

DeMarco, a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputy, shot the woman several times while he was in uniform, according to Boynton Beach police. He then shot and killed himself.

“The investigation has revealed that DeMarco approached the victim as she was walking her dog back into the Inlet Harbor Club development shortly after 8 a.m.,” said Stephanie Slater, a Boynton Beach police spokeswoman. “We can confirm that DeMarco was dressed in a [Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office] uniform consisting of khaki pants and a black embroidered shirt at the time of the shooting.”

Police said DeMarco was sitting in his police car moments before the shooting.

This story was originally published October 13, 2017 at 9:31 PM with the headline "After break-up, cop shoots ex-girlfriend while she walks her dog, then kills himself."