Premeditated murder: Spring Hill man shoots, kills family member during doctor’s visit

On July 26 just before 10:30 a.m., Hernando County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the BioSpine Institute, located at 7101 Mariner Boulevard in Spring Hill, Florida, regarding shots being fired inside the building.

Operators in the Emergency Communications Center began receiving 9-1-1 calls reporting shots fired, a man in the building with a gun, people running out of the building, people screaming, etc.   Deputies along with Hernando County Fire and Emergency Services were dispatched to the scene.

Officials say that within approximately three minutes, deputies began arriving at the scene. The first deputies to arrive formed an entry team and entered the building in search of the active shooter. Deputies conducted a systematic and methodical search of the premises. In doing so, they checked those persons still inside, both to determine injuries and/or to rule out additional suspects.

As deputies proceeded through the office to the rear, they located the shooting suspect and the victim in an examination room. The suspect, identified as 72-year-old Stanley Johns, was restrained and taken into custody at 10:36 a.m.  The sheriff’s office described the shooter as a white male.

Johns’ victim, described as an adult female, was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Johns was suffering from a single gunshot wound.

The female victim was airlifted to a local trauma center due to the critical nature of her injuries. She was listed in critical condition.  At 12:53 p.m. on the day of the shooting, while in surgery, the woman died from her gunshot wounds.

Johns was transported by ambulance to a local trauma center. He was listed in stable condition.

Besides Johns and his victim, there were approximately 14 other individuals inside the doctor’s office complex, including one doctor, nurses, office staff, patients and one child who was there with a parent.   While making entry into the building, one deputy sustained a minor injury – a cut.  The deputy was treated on scene and released.

Preliminary investigation revealed the victim and the suspect are members of the same family. The victim is not being identified due to Marsy’s Law.

The Sheriff’s Office shared that, due to issues that can be described as domestic in nature, Johns confessed to both planning and carrying out the act of killing the victim.

Yesterday, on the day of the shooting, Johns had an appointment at the BioSpine Institute. His victim accompanied him to the appointment, at his request.

Stanley Johns is being charged with Premeditated Murder in the First Degree / Domestic.  He’s being held without bond.

(Source:  Hernando County Sheriff’s Office)

Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today   /   Follow Richard on Facebook and Twitter