On the morning of March 24, 2026, two Indian River County employees were fatally shot in the north parking lot of the Indian River County Main Library in Vero Beach. Assistant Public Works Director Danny Ooley, 56, and traffic analyst technician Stacie Mason, 49, were found with multiple gunshot wounds after surveillance captured both arriving by vehicle and Mason entering Ooley’s pickup. A man approached the truck and fired with a rifle-style firearm at close range.

Investigators have identified 64-year-old Jesse Scott Ellis, described as Mason’s husband, as a person of interest and say a romantic relationship between Ooley and Mason motivated the killings. Ellis reportedly fled the scene; his pickup was later found at South Beach Park and a witness said they saw a man matching his description walk into the Atlantic Ocean fully clothed. An active warrant has been issued for first-degree murder.

Ooley had served nearly 25 years with the county Public Works department and was remembered as a respected leader. The county has offered grief counseling to employees and a memorial service was held for Ooley. Does anyone have information about the events that morning or about movements near South Beach Park that could help this investigation?