HIGHLANDS COUNTY, Fla. — The Highlands County State Attorney's Office announced Friday it's seeking the death penalty against 21-year-old Zephen Xaver in a deadly shooting at a SunTrust Bank in Sebring that killed five women in January.
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State Attorney Brian Haas said a grand jury indicted Xaver on five counts of premeditated first-degree murder. He'll be arraigned on Feb. 25.
"We have a lot of questions, obviously," Hass said. "The why, and how could this happen? It could have been any of us in the bank that day."
Sebring police said Xaver entered the bank at 1901 U.S. Highway 27 South on Jan. 23 and gunned down everyone inside. His motive remains unknown, according to police.
The victims were identified as:
- Ana Pinon Williams, 38, a former Okeechobee resident
- Cynthia Lee Watson, 65
- Marisol Lopez, 55
- Jessica Montague, 31
- Debra Cook
RELATED: What we know about Zephen Xaver
Xaver is charged with five counts of premeditated murder, and remains behind bars in the Highlands County Jail on no bond.
READ XAVER'S ARREST REPORT:
Sebring police said Xaver bought a 9mm handgun and ammunition just days before the shooting. Testing is underway to determine if that gun was the same one used inside the bank.
