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36-year-old shot, killed in Palm Coast neighborhood; suspect arrested

Death investigation underway on Blare Drive

PALM COAST, Fla. – An 85-year-old man faces charges after a 36-year-old was shot and killed early Monday in a Palm Coast neighborhood, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff’s office said the shooting was reported around 5:50 a.m. on Blare Drive.

When deputies arrived, one person – identified as 36-year-old man Mark Ruschmeier – was found dead, officials said.

Deputies said they received two 911 calls, one from the victim’s mother and another from a man who told the operator that he “had just shot a man inside the home.” That man was later identified as 85-year-old Charles Kidd Jr.

Kidd Jr. was then instructed to come outside with his hands up, which he did, according to a news release.

Deputies said the victim lived at the home with Kidd Jr. and his mother.

“The victim and suspect were known to each other and there are no outstanding suspects at this time,” the sheriff’s office said in a release. While the suspected shooter is not in custody, deputies said they are “being very cooperative with the investigation and working with investigators.”

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Detectives said they determined that there had been an argument in the home that resulted in Kidd Jr. shooting the victim.

According to the release, following interviews by the FCSO major case unit and the state attorney’s office homicide investigative unit, an arrest warrant was obtained, and Kidd Jr. was arrested. Deputies said he faces charges for second-degree murder and is currently in the process of being booked into the Flagler County jail.

“This is an unfortunate situation for all,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “Our detectives have worked tirelessly since early this morning to determine what happened, and an arrest was made in less than 12 hours.”

Blare Drive was temporarily closed from Blaine to Black Alder drives as deputies conducted their investigation, but has since reopened.


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