Former Manchester Firefighter Among Victims Of Florida Shooting

MANCHESTER, CT — Victims in a Christmas Eve murder-suicide at a home in Lakeland, FL, included a 27-year-old former firefighter in Manchester, various sources are saying.

On the homefront, a vigil took place to remember Christopher Pine at the Eighth Utilities District headquarters on Thursday night. Black bunting was also hanging at the Main Street facility.

In Florida, a report by Spectrum News named Pine as a victim, citing the chief medical examiner's office as a source.

Pine is also identified as a victim by a Go-Fund-Me set up to benefit the family of the other victim, Rachel Ramsey, according to Lakeland Patch. The two had a relationship, according to the story.

Lakeland police spokesman Tom Trulson polotely declined to name the victims when reached by phone Friday morning, citing the ongoing investigation.

What Lakeland police are saying is that, at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 24, officers were dispatched to a residence in reference to shots fired. Once on scene, officers found three "adult victims" with gunshot wounds. All three victims were declared dead at the scene, according to a police.

Police also said the preliminary investigation indicates that Leighton Josephs, 30, was armed with a handgun when he entered the home and shot a man and woman inside.

Police said they believe that, after shooting the two victims, Josephs then turned the gun on himself. Josephs knew them both, according to police.

Inside the home, officers found four children, all younger than 10 years old, a report indicates. The children were not injured and were safely removed from the residence, police added.

Officers immediately began working to make arrangements "for the safe care of the children," police said.