Bruce Alton Parks, a 57-year-old White man from New Port Richey, Florida, was shot and killed on March 9, 2026, while clearing property near Davista Avenue and Sawtell Street. He was working on the land with his former wife and close friend, Michele Violette, when Aaron Rodriguez, who lived across the street, confronted them. Preliminary statements described an argument about property use that escalated; Parks called 911 during the attack and can be heard pleading with the shooter as Rodriguez allegedly fired, striking Parks multiple times. Parks collapsed near the intersection and later died of his wounds.

Violette was also shot while fleeing and survived after reaching a nearby home; she spent months recovering and later described Parks as a close friend and business partner.

Authorities have not publicly established a clear motive. Sheriff Chris Nocco said investigators did not know why Rodriguez escalated the encounter, and reporting did not confirm other alleged prior incidents attributed to Rodriguez. For Parks family members, the killing has been described as senseless and unprovoked; he had recently recovered from heart surgery and was planning for his family’s future. Does anyone who knew Bruce Parks or who was in that neighborhood on March 9 have information that could help clarify what led to this shooting?