A 64-year-old Florida man faces murder charges after allegedly shooting his stepdaughter multiple times following a brief disagreement about manners in their family kitchen.
James Pelzer was arrested and charged with dangerous and depraved murder without premeditation in connection with the death of Alanda Cuffee. The incident occurred Sunday morning at a residence on Gulf Breeze Avenue in Escambia County.
According to court documents, the fatal confrontation began when Pelzer attempted to navigate around Cuffee in the kitchen while her mother was present. The victim’s mother told investigators she instructed her daughter to move aside for Pelzer. Cuffee responded by telling her mother that Pelzer could have said ‘excuse me.’
Following this exchange, Pelzer left the kitchen without responding and walked to his bedroom. Moments later, he emerged carrying what the victim’s mother described as a short, black handgun. Without saying a word, Pelzer fired approximately four to five rounds at Cuffee, according to witness testimony.
Deputies from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the residence at approximately 10:30 a.m. after Pelzer himself placed a call to emergency services. Officers found him waiting outside the home, where he surrendered without resistance.
Upon his arrest, Pelzer reportedly expressed remorse, telling deputies that he had ‘messed up bad.’ He directed officers to the firearm, which he indicated was inside the residence, placed on top of a Bible near the front entrance.
First responders discovered Cuffee unconscious and unresponsive on the floor, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Medical personnel pronounced her dead at the scene.
The victim’s mother provided additional details about the immediate aftermath of the shooting. She reported that Pelzer showed no initial signs of regret and told her to ‘be quiet’ when she began praying aloud over her daughter’s body.
Investigators recovered a Ruger .380 handgun at the scene, along with an empty magazine and ammunition. The weapon matched the description provided by the victim’s mother.
During the investigation, Cuffee’s mother revealed that Pelzer had exhibited anger management issues in the past. She told authorities he had previously made threats about using his firearm during other disputes, though she emphasized he had never been physically violent toward either her or her daughter before this incident.
Sheriff Chip Simmons characterized the incident as stemming from a household dispute about movement within the home and whether individuals could navigate shared spaces without physical contact.
Following his initial statements to law enforcement, Pelzer declined to answer further questions and requested legal representation. He is currently detained at the Escambia County Jail without bond.
The case highlights how seemingly minor domestic disagreements can escalate to tragic violence. Court proceedings are scheduled to continue with Pelzer’s next appearance set for May 8.
Leave a Reply