A Florida man has been charged with murder after killing his girlfriend, their 6-year-old son, and the family dog with a pump-action shotgun.
The family was at Nicholas Novickis’ mother’s home in a gated community in the Artistry neighborhood of Sarasota County on May 23, WFLA reports. They had traveled there for a family pool day.
But the mother called 911 at about 11:30 a.m. after she was awakened by the sound of glass breaking.
“She went to the slider at the back lanai and saw Phoenix (the 6-year-old boy) standing near the doorway,” an affidavit reads. “Nicholas then walked out onto the lanai with a shotgun, racked the shotgun, and shot Phoenix one time in the head, killing him.
“[The suspect’s mother] contacted 911, and while on the phone, Nicholas shot the dog. Nicholas dropped the shotgun on the lanai, and [the suspect’s mother] was able to secure the shotgun. As she moved through the residence, she observed that Allie had also been shot. [The suspect’s mother] was able to flee the residence without injury.”
Deputies arrived and found the killer in the kitchen before finding the bodies of Phoenix and Allie Novickis. Police said the family all shared the same last name, but they have seen no proof that Nicholas and Allie were actually married.
Investigators said security cameras in the home captured the murder of the young boy, but they did not record any strange behavior before Novickis killed his family.
“Prior to Phoenix being shot, the video shows Nicholas walk inside from the lanai and Allie follows him,” the affidavit stated. “Allie then reappeared back on the lanai before going back inside, whereby Nicholas reappeared on the camera carrying the shotgun.”
The camera did not capture Allie Novickis’ murder.
The affidavit said the murderer did not resist arrest and later told detectives he regretted killing the family and the dog, saying it was “f***** up.”
Novickis has been charged with two counts of first degree murder and one count of animal cruelty. A hearing is set for Friday.
Featured image: Nicholas Novickis/Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office
