Vero Beach Suspect Still Sought After Double Homicide

Police continue search for 64-year-old Jesse Ellis, accused of killing two county employees near the downtown library.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 5:33pm

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An extreme close-up of a single spent shell casing on a dark, shadowy surface, conceptually illustrating the aftermath of a violent crime.The search continues for the suspect in a deadly shooting that claimed the lives of two county employees in Vero Beach.Vero Beach Today

Authorities in Vero Beach, Florida are still searching for 64-year-old Jesse Ellis, the suspect in a double homicide that occurred near the downtown library. Ellis is accused of fatally shooting two Indian River County employees in a violent incident on March 31, 2026.

Why it matters

This tragic event has shaken the Vero Beach community, raising concerns about public safety and the need for improved security measures around government facilities. The search for the suspect is ongoing, with local law enforcement working to apprehend Ellis and determine the motive behind the killings.

The details

According to police reports, Ellis allegedly opened fire on the two county employees near the downtown Vero Beach library, killing them both at the scene. The victims have been identified as 42-year-old Maria Gonzalez, an administrative assistant, and 51-year-old David Thompson, a facilities manager. Investigators are still working to uncover the circumstances that led to the shooting and Ellis' current whereabouts.

  • The incident occurred on March 31, 2026 near the downtown Vero Beach library.

The players

Jesse Ellis

A 64-year-old Vero Beach resident who is the suspect in the double homicide.

Maria Gonzalez

A 42-year-old administrative assistant for Indian River County who was killed in the shooting.

David Thompson

A 51-year-old facilities manager for Indian River County who was killed in the shooting.

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What’s next

Local law enforcement continues to search for Jesse Ellis and investigate the motive behind the killings. The community is on high alert as the suspect remains at large.

The takeaway

This tragic double homicide has shaken the Vero Beach community and raised concerns about security around government facilities. The search for the suspect is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the circumstances that led to this violent incident.