Woman Shoots, Kills Stepfather, 7-Year-Old Daughter, Motive Unknown

A Florida woman was arrested Monday after being accused of killing her daughter and stepfather.

Alyssa Marie Torres, 29, was charged with two counts of murder and one count of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon after the police received reports of a double homicide in a Port St. Lucie residence at around 12:30 a.m. EDT, Monday. The bodies of 54-year-old Felix Rivera and Amarilyss Martinez were found in the house. While local news reports put Amarilyss’ age at seven years, investigators said at a press conference that she was eight years old.

The suspect was living in the house, where the bodies were discovered, for the last two months. She fled the scene following the incident. Her SUV was towed from a Fort Pierce home where she was found hours later. After executing three search warrants, a firearm – a Ruger 300 LCP – was recovered from the suspect’s car.

Marisol Rivera, 53, Torres’ mother, was admitted to a nearby hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Authorities said she did not sustain gunshot wounds and was in a stable condition.

Although the motive behind the murders was still unknown, Torres admitted to killing the victims and at the press conference, Sgt. Detective Terry Henkel said she was cooperating with the police.

“It is very frightening, it is very frustrating, and a lot is taking place when you get to dynamic events like this,” he said. “She is cooperating, so we anticipate getting a full story.”

Veronica Martinez, Amarilyss’ older sister, told NBC-affiliated WPTV that she was clueless as to the reason behind Torres’ actions as she was not in contact with the victims for a long time after the accused cut her off. "It doesn't make any sense," said Veronica. "We're trying to figure it out ourselves. We don't know where she lives, we don't know anything about her. She blocked my dad on social media, so we don't know anything. She doesn't have any contact with him.”

Angela McClendon, who worked with Torres at Women's Health Specialists about two years ago, also expressed her shock at the news of her former colleague’s arrest.

"It definitely doesn't seem like something she would've done. It's mind-boggling to me," McClendon said. "She was always bubbly and giddy. She was always laughing at everything. There was never anything that I heard that would throw red flags out."

The school district where the girl studied released the following statement on her death: "The St. Lucie Public Schools is saddened to hear about the tragic and unfortunate passing of our student, Amarilyss Martinez. Amarilyss was a 2nd grade student in our district. Such times are difficult for all of us; however, we will support one another during this time of grief."

Torres will make her first appearance in court Tuesday.