FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – Louis Bernard Gaskin, who was convicted for the murder of Robert and Georgette Sturmfels in Florida in 1989 and was famously known as the “ninja killer”, is scheduled for execution on April 12 at 6 p.m. under a death warrant signed by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis.
Gaskin’s case marks the second execution in Florida this year.
Gaskin’s execution will be the fourth under DeSantis, which is slower than the pace set by previous Florida governors and is considered a significant event ahead of his anticipated presidential campaign.
Gaskin was found guilty of first-degree murder, armed robbery, burglary, and attempted murder of another couple the same night near the crime scene. During the crime, Gaskin wore all-black ninja clothing, leading to his infamous nickname.
Investigators discovered that Gaskin shot the victims with a .22-caliber rifle and stole property from their home, including a clock, two lamps, and a videocassette recorder, which he he said he intended to give to his girlfriend as Christmas gifts. He quickly confessed to the crimes and expressed to a psychologist before his trial that he was aware of what he had done and that he was not insane.
In 1990, jurors recommended the death sentence with an 8-4 vote, which the judge accepted.
