SEBRING, Florida — Sebring Police Chief Karl Hoglund gave an update today on the events surrounding the murder of five women inside a Sebring bank on Jan. 23.
At a joint news conference held Thursday morning at the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office, Hoglund released the names of two of the victims: 55-year-old Marisol Lopez of Lake Placid, FL and 65-year-old Cynthia Lee Watson of Venus, FL. The families of the other victims elected to not release the names, exercising their rights under the new Marsy’s Law.
“Yesterday, our community suffered a tremendous loss at the hands of a heinous criminal,” Hoglund said. “Zephen Allen Xaver knowingly and intentionally took the lives of five of our fellow community members; our sisters, our mothers, our daughters, our co-workers. Perhaps the most unfortunate thing is they are at this point, is victims of a senseless crime. While in contact with the victim’s families, several have requested that we not release their information in accordance with Marsy’s Law. I am going to honor their request. To honor their loved one’s memory, Ms. Cynthia Watson’s family, and Ms. Marisol Lopez’ family have asked that I share their loved one’s names.”
The incident began at approximately noon on Jan. 23 when the suspect entered the branch of the SunTrust bank armed with a 9-millimeter handgun. He contacted bank employees and the lone customer and overtook the bank by force.
“He then shot everyone at the bank,” Hoglund said. Another employee was in the bank at the time in a back break room. He fled the building when he heard shots and contacted law enforcement.
Zephen Xaver entered the SunTrust Bank and demanded the five women inside lie down on the floor of the lobby — he then shot the victims in the backs of their heads, police said.
“After shooting them, he called 911 at approximately 12:36 p.m., telling dispatchers that he had killed five people in the bank. Dispatchers then maintained phone contact with (the suspect) until the arrival of two HCSO units at approximately 12:40 p.m. Members of the SPD arrived at 12:42 p.m.
“These units maintained a tactical perimeter until crisis negotiators and support personnel could arrive to assist. Phone contact was made by negotiators at 12:44. A SWAT callout was made at 12:52 p.m. During negotiations, it appeared that the suspect was not going to allow us access to the victims in the bank, so I made the decision to have law enforcement personnel conduct a tactical entry in order to save victims and apprehend Zephen Xaver. The tactical team made entry at 1:54 p.m.
“Upon entering the bank and securing the scene, tactical units took (the suspect) into custody at 2:28 p.m. Victim assessments began immediately but unfortunately, all victims succumbed to their injuries.”
Hoglund said that officials from SunTrust are providing all assistance possible to all other employees and their families. “SunTrust wants you to know their leadership is here. They are on-site in Sebring. They are meeting with employees of the bank, providing support for families of the victims and they are cooperating fully in our investigation,” Hoglund said.
The 21-year-old suspect was charged with five counts of first degree murder and booked into the Highlands County Jail. A motive for his actions are unknown.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office, particularly our dispatchers, SWAT team and Crisis Negotiation Team, as well as Highlands County Fire/EMS, the Sebring Police Department, Sebring Fire, FDLE and FBI for working in concert and putting their lives on the line for the community we serve,” Sheriff Paul Blackman said.
“We now begin the healing process,” Hoglund said. “We attempt to make sense out of a senseless act. We attempt to mourn the loss of our peers, our neighbors, our mothers and daughters. It’s a time for us to come together. It’s a time for us to heal.”
