Palm Bay – MURDER-SUICIDE INVESTIGATION
PALM BAY, FLORIDA –
Palm Bay detectives are investigating a fatal shooting that took place approximately 3:45 A.M. on January 1st, 2021. The shooting occurred at 1683 Saladino Street SE. The investigation revealed that Kevin Schmitt, 51 of Palm Bay, fatally shot his fiancé Karen Cloyd, 50, also of Palm Bay. A New Year’s Eve gathering was taking place at the residence when Schmitt began shooting at other guests with one of the rounds striking Cloyd.
Once the call was received into the Palm Bay Communications Center, officers quickly arrived on scene. There they discovered Schmitt suffering from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. No other injuries were reported. Schmitt was later pronounced deceased at a local hospital. Detectives are still trying to determine a motive for the shooting and are waiting on autopsy results conducted by the Brevard County Medical Examiners Office.
The investigation is on-going and should anyone have any information about this incident, please contact the Palm Bay Police Department at 321-952-3456.
