HAINES CITY, Fla. (WFLA) – Police say a man is at large after he shot and killed two women and critically injured a young girl who is now on life support.
The shooting occurred at Citrus Ridge Apartments in Haines City shortly before 7:30 p.m Friday.
Police say Ernst Cherizard, 38, shot and killed 23-year-old Eli Junia Normil and injured 6-year-old Elizabelle Frenel.
When Normil’s relatives came to the apartment to check on her, Cherizard told them she was not there. Her aunt, 48-year-old Nicole Guillume, returned to the complex and a confrontation ensued. That’s when Cherizard fired a handgun and killed Guillume before fleeing.
Police arrived at the scene and found Normil deceased and the child critically injured. The girl remains in critical condition and is on life support.
Police said Normil and Cherizard were in a relationship and have two children together, but the youngest victim is not Cherizard’s child.
Cherizard fled in a burgundy 2011 Nissan Altima with the Florida tag GZN C82. The vehicle was last seen passing a Boyton Beach toll plaza shortly after midnight Saturday.
Cherizard is considered armed and dangerous.
In the early hours Saturday, Cherizard took to Facebook to acknowledge the crime and apologized to his children.
“Daddy is so sorry with all my heart cuz I can’t believe this happened,” he wrote in the post.
“Despite his remorse, make no mistake about it this man is a monster,” Chief Jim Elensky said. “To consciously shoot three innocent, unarmed females is nothing less than being a coward. To shoot a truly innocent 6-year-old child is disgusting and beyond comprehension. Moreover, he shot the child at least three times, once being in the head. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and the first responders who did everything they could at the scene. They also must live with this tragedy.”
Those with information on his whereabouts should call Haines City police. To remain anonymous, call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-8477.
