After Thanksgiving Dinner, A Florida Man Gunned Down His Extended Family In A Premeditated Murder Spree

One factor to not be pleased about this Thanksgiving is that nowhere is protected from violence and murder, particularly not an idyllic Thanksgiving dinner, full with Christmas carols, in a rich Florida suburb.

On Thanksgiving day in 2009 a 35-year-old Florida man named Paul Michael Merhige stunned his household by attending a Thanksgiving dinner hosted by his cousin in a gated neighborhood in Jupiter. There have been 16 members of the Merhige household in attendance. Paul had a historical past of not getting alongside along with his household and had even been compelled to remain away by a restraining order his sister took out. However Paul’s dad and mom took pity on him and didn’t need him to be alone on Thanksgiving, even when different members of the family had explicitly stated they have been uncomfortable. When Paul requested the place Thanksgiving was being held that 12 months, they invited him. Anybody who has witnessed somebody turning into the black sheep of their household for being homosexual whereas the uncle that molested kids within the household continues to be invited to dinner can perceive the dynamics of how this occurred.

In preparation for this household meal, Paul spent $2,000 on guns and ammunition and withdrew $12,000 from his checking account. He instructed the salesperson who helped him buy a scope for a bolt-action Remington 700 rifle that he was going searching.

Whereas the household ready dinner that day, Paul’s mom and sister had a dialog about why he’d requested to be invited to dinner. Carole, Paul’s mom, stated “I hope he doesn’t come and kill us all tonight.” Paul’s sister Lisa agreed, saying “It got here to my thoughts, however don’t say that to Dad as a result of Dad would get upset that we had such concepts.”

Members of the family stated Paul was quiet at dinner till he went to his automobile and returned with a gun and began taking pictures.

That night, Merhige killed his 76-year-old aunt Raymonde Joseph, his 33-year-old twin sisters Carla Merhige and Lisa Knight, and his first cousin as soon as eliminated, 6-year-old Makayla Sitton. Lisa Knight was pregnant on the time. Makayla was asleep in her mattress however Paul intentionally went as much as her room and shot her thrice.

As he gunned down his members of the family, Paul said “I’ve been ready 20 years to do that.” Surviving members of the family stated there was no warning or argument that came about that day. Paul Merhige fled the scene and went off the grid, dwelling on the money he’d withdrawn, till he was caught in January 2010. In 2011 he pled responsible to be able to keep away from the dying penalty. He’s now serving 7 life sentences in jail.

Paul Merhige had been given a privileged upbringing within the Miami space. He was an honors pupil and athlete at Gulliver Prep faculty earlier than getting a level from the College of Miami. Nevertheless, afterwards Paul by no means obtained a job and supported himself.

Richard Gelles is a sociologist who has written over 20 books on household violence. He says the vacations generally is a harmful time because these men are confronted with economic and relationship stressors more than other times of the year. Gelles says that within the case of Paul Merhige, individuals who “return to kill their members of the family” could be motivated by failing to efficiently dwell on their very own. When they’re confronted with the prosperity and success of others they view as much less clever or weaker, their vanity can’t recuperate.

These persons are usually younger males, socially remoted, and have a low socio-economic standing.