Disturbing news came out of Pinellas County yesterday, as 73-year old Edward Warren DiGrandi was shot and killed by Pinellas County deputies after arming himself with a gun and breaking into his ex-wife's home. As in any police shootings the deputies are on administrative leave pending an investigation. (See St. Pete Times article)
According to news sources, DiGrandi drove from Ohio to Palm Harbor, apparently upset by alimony he was to start paying to his ex-wife on Friday. After he broke into his former wife's apartment, she was (fortunately!) able to escape to a neighbor and call 911. He was later spotted and pulled over by law enforcement on Alderman Rd. in Palm Harbor, Florida. DiGrandi stepped out of the vehicle with the gun pointed to his chest. After deputies shouted at him to drop the weapon, DiGrandi then "turned abruptly and pointed the gun at deputies, who opened fire." He was struck multiple times, dying at the scene.
It is hard, if not downright chilling, to imagine the mind of someone who has the motivation to drive more than 1,000 miles to try to do someone harm. We have all been at some point in our lives angry at a spouse, former spouse, or loved one, and perhaps in a moment could "lose it" and make a decision that is life-changing. But in this case, DiGrandi had time to reflect and consider the consequences of his actions while he was driving down here from Ohio, but instead was bent on tracking down his ex-wife. The circumstances of this case are strikingly similar to Lisa Nowak case in 2007. We all remember Lisa, the astronaut who disguised herself and drove 900 miles from Houston to Orlando to assault a fellow astronaut who was a rival for her boyfriend's affections, all while wearing diapers so she wouldn't have to stop for bathroom breaks. Lisa was initially charged with attempted murder before striking a plea deal with prosecutors. When it comes to matters of the heart, there is no telling what the mind is capable of.
Too often, domestic violence is a component in many relationships that are both ongoing and broken. The news does not tell us, but perhaps this was not the first time DiGrandi's ex-wife was a victim of domestic violence. If you are in a relationship where domestic violence occurs, please be aware you can take steps to ensure your safety. If you feel you are or about to become a victim of domestic violence, CALL 911! While there are no guarantees in life, there is a support network to enable you to better protect yourself. There are confidential shelters in the county where victims can stay, and we can file an injunction for protection from domestic violence on your behalf and help you through a difficult and painful process. But the last thing you should do is to stay in an abusive relationship. DON'T BECOME ANOTHER STATISTIC. Give us a call and we would be happy to provide you with a free consultation and help you better protect yourself.
