A Florida woman is facing the possibility of the death penalty after authorities say she carried out two separate shootings targeting both of her ex-husbands within a single day, leaving one man dead and another seriously wounded. Susan Avalon, 51, a resident of Citrus County, has been charged with first-degree homicide in Manatee County, with additional charges expected in Hillsborough County as investigators piece together what they describe as a deliberate, multi-county sequence of violence.
Officials say the case initially puzzled law enforcement when Susan Avalon referenced an ex-husband investigators were not aware of, ultimately revealing the scope of the alleged crimes. The investigation has drawn attention not only because of its severity but also because of the apparent planning involved and the brazen manner in which the shootings were allegedly carried out in broad daylight.
Timeline of the Alleged Attacks Across Florida
According to investigators, the events unfolded on Wednesday and began in Tampa, where authorities believe Susan Avalon shot and killed her second ex-husband at his Hillsborough County residence. At the time, law enforcement had no indication that a homicide had occurred there. The situation only came to light hours later after a separate shooting in Bradenton prompted deputies to look more closely at Avalon’s statements and movements throughout the day.
Manatee County deputies were called shortly before 3 p.m. to a residential neighborhood in Bradenton following reports that a 54-year-old man had been shot multiple times. When deputies arrived, they found the man suffering from two gunshot wounds, including one to the abdomen. Despite his injuries, he survived and was able to speak with investigators. He told deputies he believed the shooter was his ex-wife, Susan Avalon.
Detectives say the victim reported that Susan Avalon arrived at his home carrying food from Panera Bread and that when he opened the door, she immediately fired at him. Investigators later confirmed through surveillance footage that Avalon had stopped at a nearby Panera location shortly before the shooting and allegedly took food without paying. After leaving the restaurant, she drove directly to her former husband’s home, according to authorities.
The shooting took place in what officials described as a busy, active neighborhood during the afternoon hours. Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells emphasized the recklessness of the alleged act, noting that children were returning home from school and neighbors were present throughout the area. The victim’s 15-year-old daughter was inside the home at the time of the shooting. While she did not witness the attack itself, she heard the gunshots and later told investigators she saw a silver Honda Odyssey leaving the scene, a detail that aligned with the vehicle Susan Avalon was known to drive.
NEW: Florida woman accused of k*lling both ex-husbands in separate shootings on the same day
— Unlimited L's (@unlimited_ls) December 21, 2025
Investigators say Susan Erica Avalon, 48, shot and k*lled an ex-husband in Manatee County, then another ex-husband in Tampa
Detectives told her they needed to talk about her ex-husband,… pic.twitter.com/wyuWvV21ES
As deputies continued their investigation, attention turned toward Avalon’s residence in Citrus County. There, officers say they observed Susan Avalon allegedly attempting to clean her vehicle using bleach and rags, behavior investigators interpreted as an effort to destroy evidence. When detectives questioned her about the shooting victim in Bradenton, Avalon reportedly asked, “Which one?” a response that immediately raised concerns among investigators who were only aware of one ex-husband connected to the case.
Confusion Over Multiple Ex-Husbands and the Tampa Discovery
The investigation took a critical turn when Susan Avalon’s statements revealed the existence of a second ex-husband. According to Sheriff Wells, detectives were initially confused by Avalon’s remarks because they were focused solely on the Bradenton shooting. Avalon allegedly accused one of her ex-husbands of molestation and being a “child abuser,” claims that investigators say contributed to the confusion as they attempted to determine which individual she was referring to.
Further interviews helped clarify the situation. Avalon’s live-in boyfriend told investigators that her recent behavior had been unusual and out of character. He recalled that the day before the shootings, Avalon told him that if anything were to happen to her, she loved him and wanted him to know that. According to Wells, the boyfriend found the statement unsettling and inconsistent with her typical demeanor.
As detectives dug deeper, they learned that Avalon had been married twice and that her second ex-husband lived in Tampa. Investigators also learned that Avalon had recently discovered his location, a detail that raised further alarm. Acting on this information, law enforcement conducted a welfare check at the Tampa residence of the second ex-husband.
When officers arrived at the Hillsborough County home, the man did not respond. Police observed damage to the front door, prompting them to enter the residence. Inside, they found the man dead from multiple gunshot wounds. Authorities believe he was killed earlier that same day, prior to the Bradenton shooting.
The discovery confirmed investigators’ fears that Avalon was allegedly responsible for two separate shootings involving both of her former spouses. What initially appeared to be a single violent incident quickly expanded into a complex case spanning multiple jurisdictions. Law enforcement agencies from Manatee County, Hillsborough County, and Citrus County became involved as they worked to reconstruct Avalon’s movements and actions over the course of the day.
Charges, Possible Motive, and the Path Forward
Susan Avalon now faces a first-degree homicide charge in Manatee County related to the killing of her second ex-husband, with prosecutors indicating they may seek the death penalty. Additional charges are expected in Hillsborough County, where authorities continue to investigate the fatal shooting in Tampa. She may also face charges connected to the attempted murder of her first ex-husband, as well as potential charges related to theft and evidence tampering.
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Sheriff Wells stated that Avalon and the Bradenton victim had been married for 11 years and that she reportedly owed him approximately $4,000 in child support. While this financial dispute has been noted, officials have cautioned that the full motive behind the shootings remains unclear. Investigators have not publicly confirmed whether the alleged child support debt or Avalon’s accusations against her ex-husbands played a direct role in the violence.
Authorities have also highlighted the calculated nature of the alleged acts. From the sequence of travel between counties to the stop at Panera Bread and the alleged attempt to clean her vehicle afterward, investigators believe the shootings were not spontaneous. Wells described the conduct as exceptionally brazen, particularly given the timing and location of the Bradenton shooting, which occurred in the middle of the afternoon in a neighborhood with significant foot traffic.
Avalon’s live-in boyfriend told investigators that she did not confide in him about the shootings after returning home. Instead, she reportedly took a shower and focused on cleaning her car. Detectives interpret these actions as efforts to conceal evidence, a factor that could weigh heavily in future court proceedings.
As the case moves forward, prosecutors will need to establish intent, premeditation, and the sequence of events linking both shootings. The potential pursuit of the death penalty underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating the case, though such a decision will ultimately depend on the findings of prosecutors and the courts. Investigators continue to collect evidence, review surveillance footage, and conduct interviews to strengthen their understanding of what led to the alleged attacks.
For now, the case stands as one of the more disturbing criminal investigations in Florida in recent memory, involving allegations of targeted violence against former spouses, the presence of a child during one of the shootings, and actions that spanned multiple counties within a single day. As additional charges are considered and court proceedings begin, the focus remains on establishing the facts surrounding the deaths and ensuring accountability under the law.