ARCADIA, Fla. (WINK)— Two women were gunned down in a DeSoto County double murder on Friday, and the community is preparing to honor one of the victims at the home she will never get to call her own.
Tanika Summers was supposed to move into her new Habitat for Humanity home in less than a week. Instead, she was killed in what police are calling a domestic shooting at an Arcadia apartment complex.
"It's hard to believe that she's gone," said Jennifer Bowser, executive director of Arcadia-DeSoto County Habitat for Humanity.
Neighbors reported hearing gunshots Friday morning. Police arrived to find a woman shot multiple times. Friends and family confirmed the victim was Summers.
"So full of life, and smiles…she was so happy," Bowser said.
Bowser said Summers had just laid fresh sod at her new home and was excited about starting a new chapter in her life. "She was so happy and thankful, and excited about the next steps in her life," Bowser said.
One day after Summers worked on her yard, police said 45-year-old Eric Devon Robinson opened fire. Officers later arrested him near the apartments.
Court records show a judge issued Robinson a restraining order in September after Summers requested domestic violence protection. "And I saw him shoot his gun, just sporadically shooting," said Damien Brown, a neighbor.
Robinson now faces two first-degree murder charges. Police later found a second body at the apartment complex.
Family members identified the second victim as 77-year-old Barbara Bates, who lived nearby. Police did not respond to questions about whether there was any connection between the two women.
Habitat for Humanity plans to hold a memorial service for Summers on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at the home where she was supposed to receive her keys. Instead, friends and family will gather to remember her life.
