VIERA, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35 ORLANDO) -
William Woodward is charged with one count of first degree murder and two counts of attempted first degree murder in the shooting of residents in a Titusville neighborhood. On Tuesday, he went before a judge for the first time since he was arrested.
Woodward, 44, sat quietly waiting for his name to be called. As his bond status was decided, he was soft spoken and polite, thanking the judge on two separate occasions.
"You'll be housed here on a no bond status on all three charges. You're not permitted to have any contact with any witness involved with this case. Do you understand that sir?," the judge asked Woodward. "Yes, Your Honor," Woodward replied.
Police said the shootings, which happened just after 12:30 a.m. Monday morning, are the violent end of a long dispute among neighbors on Smith Drive. Woodward fired at three people after two of the victims were allegedly making noise at a house party right across the street, according to investigators.
One of the victims, 39-year-old Gary Lee Hembree, died at the scene after suffering multiple gun shot wounds. The two other victims, Roger Picior, 44, and Bruce Timothy Blake, 49, were airlifted to an area hospital. There is no evidence that any of the victims had weapons of their own, according to a Titusville Police spokesperson.
"My kids lost their father," said Sarah Hembree of her husband. "He did not get what he deserved. He deserved to be left alone."
Woodward, whose brother is Titusville Fire Chief Michael Woodward, returns to court on October 2 at 8 a.m. before Circuit Judge Jack Griesbaum and will remain in the Brevard County Jail.
