The couple who died in an apparent murder-suicide in Fruitland Park late Sunday night left behind seven children.
The victims were identified by Fruitland Park Police early Monday afternoon as 29-year-old Eric Franklin Sims Jr. and 28-year-old Courtney Lynn Holloway. They had six children together and Holloway also had a daughter from another relationship. Sims is believed to have played football for Tavares High School.
The children were located unharmed at a neighbor’s house when officers first arrived at the residence, located on Phoenix Avenue near the corner of Palm Street, around 10 p.m. after receiving a call of a shooting. They were placed by the Department of Children and Family with family members of the two victims.
Fruitland Park Police officers and Lake County sheriff’s deputies were at the scene Monday morning gathering evidence. They don’t believe any other suspects were involved and they posted a notice on their Facebook Page shortly before 7:30 a.m. to calm neighbors and those in the area who saw a large law enforcement presence at the scene.
