TAMARAC, Fla. — Six months after a person fatally shot his estranged spouse, her father and a neighbor in Tamarac, the Broward Sheriff’s Workplace has concluded an inner investigation that discovered widespread failures in each the months main as much as the killings and throughout the crucial moments of the active-shooter response, WLRN reported.
Eight deputies have been fired and 11 others disciplined in connection to the company’s dealing with of the case involving Mary Gingles, 34, who was killed alongside her father, David Ponzer, 64, and neighbor Andrew Ferrin, 36, on Feb. 16, 2025. Her estranged husband, Nathan Gingles, has been charged with all three murders and has pleaded not responsible, based on the report.
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The 246-page internal affairs report, obtained by WLRN, particulars repeated missed warnings and failures in protocol that Sheriff Gregory Tony says instantly contributed to Mary’s loss of life.
“We had a number of alternatives to guard Mary throughout the months previous her loss of life when she alerted us to the home violence she was experiencing,” Tony said in a statement.
Investigation timeline
- Feb. 9, 2024: Mary known as BSO to implement a short lived restraining order. Deputies confiscated Nathan’s giant cache of firearms.
- Feb. 10, 2024: Deputy Daniel Lovallo documented Mary’s concern of Nathan however didn’t open a home violence investigation, later saying he had “no proof.” He was suspended for 10 days.
- July 9, 2024: Mary agreed to drop the restraining order in change for unique possession of the home. Nathan’s weapons had been returned a month later.
- Oct. 29, 2024: Mary reported discovering a monitoring machine on her automotive. It was by no means collected as proof. Sgt. Travis Allen, later fired, didn’t observe up, paperwork state.
- Nov.–Dec. 2024: The tracker case was mishandled by Detective Brittany King, Deputy Raul Ortiz, and Sgt. Devoune Williams, paperwork state. The machine was by no means analyzed. King and Williams had been fired; Ortiz and one other detective had been disciplined.
- Dec. 27, 2024: Mary noticed Nathan on her safety digicam leaving a suspicious backpack in her storage. It contained duct tape, zip ties, gloves and plastic wrap. Deputy Daniel Munoz responded however didn’t seize the backpack. He was later fired.
- Dec. 30, 2024: Mary filed for an additional home violence injunction, warning that Nathan would seemingly attempt to kill her earlier than their lease led to February. A short lived order was granted. Regardless of pressing calls, detectives didn’t act on the tracker or the “kill package” backpack. A number of deputies, together with King and Detective Illany Ceballos, met with Mary however by no means collected key proof.
- Jan. 23, 2025: A prosecutor rejected King’s request for a search warrant, citing an absence of proof. She resubmitted a revised model however didn’t observe up. No motion was taken earlier than the killings.
The day of the murders
- Feb. 16, 2025, 5:39 a.m.: Nathan arrived at Mary’s dwelling.
- Round 6 a.m.: He fatally shot Mary’s father, Ponzer, on the again patio and chased Mary and their daughter by the neighborhood.
- 6:01 a.m.: First 911 name reporting gunfire. Sgt. Travis Allen directed deputies to a rallying level a couple of half-mile away from the scene, violating BSO’s energetic shooter coverage and delaying their response as extra 911 calls reported gunfire and screaming.
- 6:06–6:12 a.m.: 5 deputies, together with Allen and Deputy Lemar Blackwood, waited close by as further 911 calls reported extra gunshots and screaming.
- 6:07–6:08 a.m.: Mary fled to Ferrin’s home. Nathan adopted and fatally shot them each.
Moments later, Allen noticed Nathan strolling barefoot with their baby and didn’t cease him, later saying the encounter “didn’t register sufficient” to behave.
An Amber Alert was issued hours later. Nathan was arrested at a Walmart in North Lauderdale together with his daughter.
Aftermath and accountability
BSO has now:
- Fired 8 deputies, together with Sgt. Allen, Deputy Munoz, Detective King, Sgt. Williams, and others for failure to answer energetic shooter protocol or for ignoring key proof.
- Disciplined 11 others, together with suspensions and demotions.
- Acknowledged systemic failures in coaching, supervision and response.
“I can practice you, I can provide you, I can provide you all of the instruments to achieve success,” Tony said at a press conference announcing the investigation. “What I can’t coach is braveness and energy.”
Dan Rakofsky, president of IUPA 6020, which represents BSO deputies and sergeants, stated he was “dissatisfied” with the end result, calling it a “predetermined” investigation. He argued that the findings spotlight deeper systemic issues throughout the company.
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