Protective order couldn't stop deadly Arcadia shooting that killed 2 women

ARCADIA, Fla. (WINK) — Two women were shot and killed on Friday at an apartment complex, and new court documents reveal what police say happened before their deaths.

Tanika Summers and Barbara Bates were killed at the Jacaranda Trails apartment complex. Police say Eric Robinson shot Summers to death, and Bates was killed after she witnessed the shooting and called 911.

According to the Arcadia Police Department, Robinson held Summers at knifepoint in an apartment in front of their daughter before shots were fired. Police say Summers was killed in the parking lot that same morning.

According to the report, three neighbors in the apartment complex saw Robinson point his gun at Summers and shoot her while her hands were up. They said they ran and hid in a maintenance closet where they heard more gunfire.

At the same time, a woman saw this all go down from her window. Police say it was Bates, and she called 911, just trying to do the right thing.

In that call, Bates said Robinson was shooting at her. Police say she was shot twice through her bedroom window, killing her.

WINK News asked the police marshal whether the call going to a different county impacted their response time. He said they "don't think so." WINK News also asked where the 911 call went, and was told they are not going to look into it.

DeSoto County court records show Summers filed an order of protection against Robinson in August, preventing him from contacting her at her home and job. Despite the protective order, the violence still occurred.

"There can be a false sense of safety for victims when they leave that relationship, or they get that injunction for protection that may be a time when they actually need safety planning more than ever," said Linda Oberhaus, CEO of the Shelter for Abused Women & Children.

The Shelter for Abused Women & Children offers more than just housing. The organization provides beds, childcare, counseling and financial and legal advice to those in need.

"So, the legal team will assist victims of domestic violence to get injunctions for protection," Oberhaus said. "We have staff over at the clerk's office over at the courthouse, so we can accompany them to court as well as assist them in filing those injunctions and then just support them through the process."

Following Friday's tragedy, advocates went door-to-door in the community with resources in hand. The outreach effort aimed to connect residents with support services available to them.

Experts say domestic violence cases are rising in Southwest Florida

DESOTO COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — A double homicide in Arcadia that investigators say was a domestic incident is highlighting what an advocate is calling a growing, and often deadly, pattern of violence.

"The situation that happened is really tragic," Oberhaus said. "I would still encourage victims of domestic violence to reach out."

Oberhaus emphasized that leaving a violent relationship requires careful planning and support. The shelter stands ready to provide that assistance.

"You can get out of that relationship in a safe way, and you will have just an army of advocates surrounding you in order to be as safe as possible as you navigate leaving that violent relationship," Oberhaus said.

The Shelter for Abused Women & Children operates a crisis line 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 239-775-1101.