Tactical Gear, Mask-Wearing Dad Killed by Son, Deputies Say

A 46-year-old man is dead after Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputies say he was shot by his own son during a Tuesday morning attack in the St. Petersburg area.

According to the agency, John Heisler broke into his ex-girlfriend’s home at 5001 43rd Ave. N. just after midnight. The ex-, Jolene Andrews, 37, and her now boyfriend, Alton Pyles, 47, heard a loud crash as a front window of their home was broken. The two went to investigate and encountered Heisler, “who was dressed in black full tactical gear to include a ski mask and thigh holsters,” an email from the sheriff’s office stated.

Heisler, the email said, proceeded to point a gun at the couple. The two tried to retreat into the home, but Heisler forced his way inside.

Once in the home, Heisler is said to have grabbed Andrews while trying to force her to the ground. Andrews later told deputies she recognized her attacker at that point because of his voice and tattoo on his arm.

As the attack was going on, Pyles called for help. Hearing the commotion, Malachi Heisler, 18, opened his bedroom door to find his father pointing a gun at his mother, the email said.

John Heisler, deputies say, turned the gun on his son. Malachi, however, fired his own weapon and struck John in the upper body.

John Heisler was pronounced dead at the scene, deputies say.

Margenta Heisler, 13, was also in the home at the time of the attack. She was in her bedroom as the scene unfolded, the email said.

Jolene Andrews, deputies noted, had obtained a temporary injunction against John Heisler in April, which was extended through May 2016. John Heisler, deputies say, was a transient. 

The investigation remains ongoing. It is unclear if any charges will be filed in the case deputies are classifying as a home invasion-homicide.

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