Police Looking For 5 More Suspects In Beulah Murder Case

Florida Murder BREAKING NEWS The Escambia County Sheriff's Office is looking for five more suspects in the murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings a Beulah Florida couple known for adopting special needs children.

by Jamie Burch

Published: Mon, July 13, 2009 - 2:20 pm CST Last Updated: Mon, July 13, 2009 - 2:44 pm CST

BREAKING NEWS

The Escambia County Sheriff's Office is looking for five more suspects in the murder of a Beulah, FL couple, including 2 men in Ninja gear

Byrd and Melanie Billings were shot to death Thursday. Eight of the couple's 21 children were at home at the time. The couple was known for adopting children with developmental disabilities.

Monday afternoon, a judge set bond at $500,000 for Leonard Gonzalez Sr. He told investigators he was the getaway driver and waited in a van while his son Leonard Gonzalez Jr. and Wayne Coldiron broke into the home and robbed it. He also told police several other men were involved.

Gonzalez Jr. and Coldiron, who both face murder charges, will be in court Tuesday afternoon for a bond hearing.

The elder Gonzalez is charged with evidence tampering. Authorities say he tried to paint over damage on a red van that was spotted on surveillance video leaving the home.

Sheriff David Morgan says a total of five people were in the house during the robbery. Morgan man says one team entered the front of the home at the same time another entered the back. At least two of the men were wearing Nina gear. They were at the house for less than 10 minutes.

The Sheriff's Office is releasing a photo showing two of the four black males identified as 'persons of interest' in the murder. The men were seen in a Wal-Mart parking lot in Gulf Breeze two weeks ago with Gonzalez Jr. Morgan says they are also looking for an unidentified white male.

More arrests are expected later today (Monday).

News 5's Kimberly Curth will have the latest on the murder case that's making national headlines tonight on News 5 at 5:00 and 6:00.

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alabamaoutlaw Says:

Mon, Jul 13, 2009 at 5:13 pm

Guarantee you before it is over there will be no doubt who the killer is when they turn the screws and talk about that needle that they are going to put in their arm.You want be able to shut them up.Right now they are looking at never seeing freedom again,if they are lucky.

Sirk Says:

Mon, Jul 13, 2009 at 5:11 pm

One or more of the rats will squeal on each other and the best and loudest squealer with the most money for a better lawyer will win.

Sirk Says:

Mon, Jul 13, 2009 at 5:09 pm

Would you know who the killer was Dougstech? If not, then you are no better than LE either.