A 64-year-old man is facing two first-degree murder charges after his longtime girlfriend and her adult daughter were found shot dead outside a home in Pompano Beach, Florida. The victims, who were well known in their neighborhood, were identified as 66-year-old Suzanne Courtade and her 23-year-old daughter, Meghan Courtade.
The shooting happened Thursday evening, November 12, in the 1500 block of Southwest Fifth Avenue. Broward County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived shortly after 7:20 p.m. and found both women outside the residence with fatal gunshot wounds.
Neither woman survived. They were pronounced dead at the scene, leaving neighbors shocked by the violence in a community they described as quiet and closely connected.
Investigators initially detained 64-year-old David Keith Thornton for questioning. He was later arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder. Authorities have not publicly explained what led to the deadly shooting or announced a possible motive.
But neighbors provided some details about the people involved. Douglas Newton, a longtime friend of the family, told 7News that Thornton was Suzanne’s longtime boyfriend and lived at the residence. Meghan was visiting her mother when the shooting occurred.
For residents along the street, the news was especially difficult because Suzanne and her daughter were familiar faces. Newton said Suzanne had lived in the neighborhood for at least 25 years and had built friendships with people around her.
“They’re good people, never had any troubles. It’s heartbreaking, you know?” he said.
The sound of gunfire also left another neighbor shaken. She recalled hearing two shots but initially did not know what had happened. When police arrived and she later saw the victims lying outside, the reality of the situation became clear.
“We heard the two shots. We weren’t even sure what that was, and then the police came,” she said. “After seeing the two bodies in the street, it was just so upsetting.”
Residents later placed candles and flowers near the scene. The small memorial became a reminder of the two women whose lives ended in a place where neighbors said they had always felt comfortable and familiar with one another.
Newton said Suzanne was a caring person who treated people well. He also remembered Meghan as friendly and outgoing, saying the family regularly exchanged greetings with people along the street.
“Because this is a dead-end street, everybody knows everybody, and everybody knows everybody from one end to the other,” he said.
Another neighbor described the two women as friendly people who had been part of the community for years. She said residents were struggling to believe that something so terrible could happen to a family they knew so well.
Suzanne’s death has also been felt in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, where she worked as a human resources manager. Town Mayor Edmund Malkoon paid tribute to her in a statement, remembering both her work and the personal relationships she built.
“It is difficult to find words to express the sadness of such a senseless tragedy. Sue will be remembered not only for her contributions to Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, but for the wonderful person she was and the lasting impression she made on everyone who knew her,” Malkoon said.
Meanwhile, Newton said the neighborhood had been praying for the family since the news broke. He described the killings as heartbreaking and said residents were still coming to terms with losing two people they had known for so long.
Thornton now faces two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths. Investigators have not disclosed a motive or provided further details about the circumstances surrounding the shooting. He is expected to appear in court Saturday morning.