Florida shooting: County Deputy Kirk Keithley murders wife, Samantha Keithley, then self, leaving behind four kids

A Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputy shot and killed his wife and then turned the gun on himself overnight in their Land O’ Lakes home.

Deputy Kirk Keithley, 39, shot and killed his wife, Samantha Keithley, 33, on a downstairs couch and then went upstairs and turned the gun on himself. Around midnight the 14-year-old son ran from the home while calling 911. He reported a violent argument happening.

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco confirmed that four children were in the home in the 17000 block of Terrazzo Way at the time of the murder-suicide. None of the children, all 14 years old and younger, were injured.

“It’s devastating what happened here this morning,” Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco said. “The moment that any individual goes from protecting people to harming people, he loses the right no matter what agency they’re with to call themselves a law enforcement officer.”

According to WFLA, deputies said the couple had two children together and one child each from a previous relationship.

Kirk Keithley and Samantha Keithley

Keithley had been a deputy since June 2009, previously working with St. Petersburg Police from 2003 to 2009.

One of Samantha’s friends spoke the press about her text message exchange which happened during the night. More on that here.

HCSO Sheriff Chad Chronister released the following statement:

Unfortunately, last night, one of our deputies was involved in a tragic event where he took his wife’s life and then his own. I cannot begin to express how disheartened I am. Domestic Violence has no place in our society.

I ask that everyone join me and the rest of our office and pray for those innocent children who are left behind and have to pick up the pieces. This is something that is impossible to comprehend for even the most seasoned person.
Please keep them in your hearts as we all try to make our way through this tragedy.

We have made every resource within our Employee Assistance programs available to any employee who may be struggling. This remains an active Pasco County Sheriff’s Office investigation.