Full Breakdown
Vero Beach Double Homicide: Suspect Identified and Search Underway
3/26/2026, 2:58:56 AM
Fatal Shooting Incident
On Tuesday morning, a tragic shooting occurred in the parking lot of the Indian River County Main Library in Vero Beach, Florida, resulting in the deaths of Stacie Ellis Mason, 49, and Danny Ooley, 56. Vero Beach Police Chief David Currey identified the suspect as Jesse Scott Ellis, 64, who is believed to have shot both victims with an automatic weapon. Surveillance footage captured the moments leading up to the shooting, showing Mason entering Ooley's vehicle before Ellis arrived and opened fire.
Background of the Victims and Suspect
Stacie Mason and Danny Ooley were both employees of the Indian River County Public Works, with Ooley serving as the assistant director and Mason as a traffic analyst technician. Reports suggest that Mason and Ooley were involved in a romantic relationship, which may have prompted the shooting. Jesse Scott Ellis and Stacie Mason had been married for approximately 13 years and were reportedly in the process of separating or divorcing, with plans to sell their home. Currey described the incident as a "targeted marital issue" and a "crime of passion."
Search for the Suspect
Following the shooting, Jesse Scott Ellis fled the scene, abandoning his vehicle at nearby South Beach Park. He then entered the ocean and swam approximately 900 yards offshore. Local fire department personnel, responding to a concerned call from a beachgoer, approached Ellis but he provided a false name and was deemed not to be in distress. Authorities are currently searching for Ellis, who remains at large, and there are concerns that he may have drowned. Multiple firearms were recovered from his home during a search warrant execution.
Community Response
Deryl Loar, chairman of the Indian River County Commission, expressed condolences for the victims and praised their contributions to the community. "This is a resilient community," he stated, emphasizing the need for healing in the wake of this tragic event.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While police believe that Mason and Ooley were having an affair, Ooley's mother has publicly denied these claims, asserting that her son was not cheating on his wife and that they were at the library for work-related purposes. This discrepancy highlights the complexity of the situation and the differing narratives surrounding the events leading up to the shooting.
Official Statements & Responses
Chief Currey characterized the incident as a crime of passion, indicating that it stemmed from marital discord. He noted that Ellis had been undergoing "professional services" prior to the incident, although further details were not disclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
- "This was a crime of passion, two individuals that were apparently seeing each other for a period of time, and one husband being upset about it and potentially committing the crime that was committed." — David Currey, Vero Beach Police Chief
- "He was not having an affair. They were there checking for a job they were going to be doing." — Mary Ooley, Mother of Danny Ooley
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with information regarding Jesse Scott Ellis's whereabouts to come forward.
