Bishop of Orlando Reverend John Noonan released the following statement:
“We mourn with the St. Joseph Catholic community in Palm Bay over the tragic loss of these four lives as we preay for the repose of their sould and extend our prayers to their families.
I share with you that Father Robert “Bob” Hoeffner and his sister Sally, both were tragically murdered yesterday.
Throughout his priesthood, Father Hoeffner served the people of God with compassion and humility,” Noonan said in a statement. “We will miss his grace-filled presence. We know he and his sister are received by the Lord with mercy and love.”
Yesterday, 24-year-old Brandon Kapas shot and killed his grandfather, and shot two Palm Bay police officer who responded to the domestic call. He was engaged by the police and killed in a nearby ditch.
Later that evening, Police discovered the bodies of the priest and his sister, believed to also have been killed by Brandon.
The motive of the shootings are unknown. There will be a press conference this afternoon at 4:30pm.