On December 9, 2023, Kerlande Racine and his wife, Marcelline Racine, were fatally shot outside their home in West Palm Beach, Florida. The couple had been married just one week earlier, on Marcelline’s birthday, December 2, 2023. Kerlande, a pastor, and Marcelline, a nurse practitioner, were both Haitian immigrants who had moved to the United States 25 years ago.
The suspect in the double homicide is Sony Josaphat, Marcelline’s ex-husband.
Josaphat, 46, had his divorce from Marcelline finalized on November 22, 2023. According to police reports, Josaphat arrived at the Racines' home on the morning of the shooting, allegedly to bring breakfast to the daughter he shared with Marcelline. However, he parked his car across the street, greeted the couple, and after a brief interaction, pulled out a pistol and shot them.
At the time of the shooting, Kerlande was outside installing security cameras, while Marcelline was unloading groceries from their car. Their daughter, who was present, witnessed the shooting and immediately called 911. Three of Marcelline’s children were inside the house during the incident.
Josaphat fled the scene but later turned himself in to local police, admitting to the crime. He told detectives that Marcelline had been "disrespecting him and blocked his calls," which filled him with anger. Josaphat stated that he knew what he did was wrong and had never done anything like this before.
Following his arrest, Josaphat was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and is being held in the Palm Beach County jail without bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for January 8, 2024. The community expressed shock at the incident, describing the area as normally quiet and peaceful.
Marcelline’s sister described her as being happier than ever at the time of her death, having recently found joy in her new marriage. The community and family members have been deeply affected by the tragic event, highlighting the controlling behavior Josaphat had exhibited in the past and his random visits to the residence despite not living there for over a year.
