Louis Bernard Gaskin, a Florida inmate who committed a series of attacks on couples in December 1989, has been given a death warrant by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Gaskin, now 56, will be executed on April 12th, becoming the second person to be executed in the state this year. Gaskin, also known as the “ninja killer,” dressed all in black and went out searching for random victims.
One of the attacks resulted in the death of a husband and wife. Gaskin fired his .22-caliber rifle at the Sturmfels couple, who were lounging in their Palm Coast home at the time. Robert Sturmfels was shot multiple times and Georgette Sturmfel was hit as she fled from the room.
Gaskin followed the couple, executed them at point-blank range and covered their bodies with blankets. Before leaving, he took jewelry, cash, video recorders, a clock, and lamps, some of which were Christmas gifts that eventually helped lead to his capture.
After killing the Sturmfels, Gaskin went to the home of Joseph and Mary Rector. He cut the couple’s phone line and threw items onto their roof to try to lure them outside.
The pair emerged, and Gaskin shot Joseph Rector once, but the couple managed to escape to a hospital, even as Gaskin shot at their car. Joseph Rector survived the attack, but his wife was unhurt.
Gaskin was eventually caught after an informant told authorities he had the rifle used in the shootings. Gaskin was found guilty of murder and attempted murder in the shootings and had appealed his death sentence several times, but all attempts were rejected by the courts.
In an interview with a psychologist, Gaskin said that he felt guilty and knew he was wrong, but the devil had more of a hold on him than God did.
»Florida “ninja killer” who dressed in black before killing random couples to be executed in April«
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