CRESTVIEW — An Okaloosa grand jury has indicted Jacob Langston for first-degree premeditated murder in the death of Elbert Merrick III, first-degree premeditated and/or felony murder for the deaths of Shanna and Kevin McGrath, and two counts of animal cruelty.
The killings occurred Jan. 23 at the McGraths' Crestview home.
The victim, Elbert Merrick III, went to the McGrath home to retrieve items from Langston; while Merrick was there, the defendant shot him in the head outside the home, according to the State Attorney's office. Shanna McGrath attempted to call 911 and was also shot by the defendant.
Langston then shot and killed Kevin McGrath, State Attorney William Eddins' press office said. During the shooting, the family dogs, Kia and Jasmine, were injured. Kia died at the scene and Jasmine is still recovering from multiple gunshot wounds.
The investigation was conducted by the Crestview Police Department and Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Angela Mason.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Langston indicted in Crestview triple homicide, animal cruelty case