The Pinellas Park Police Department (PPPD) revealed harrowing new details regarding a double murder investigation that rocked the community on February 10th. Austin Skonecki, 30, stands accused of fatally shooting two men, John Luke, Jr. and Brian Mikell, in a shocking act of violence that sent shockwaves through Pinellas Park, Florida.
Insights into the PPPD’s investigation were unveiled through a search warrant executed on February 14th, shedding light on the events leading up to the tragic incident. According to police documents, detectives interviewed Mikell’s teenage daughter, who recounted being present in the garage alongside Skonecki and Luke as they engaged in a heated argument. As tensions escalated, Luke exited the garage, with Skonecki following suit, brandishing a handgun before stepping outside.
The scene quickly descended into chaos as Mikell’s daughter, paralyzed by fear, heard a series of gunshots ring out. Hiding her face in terror, she recounted hearing someone pacing around the garage before the sound of more shots echoed through the air. Security cameras from a nearby residence captured partial footage of the shooting, capturing audio of a man urging “Johnny” to leave just moments before a single gunshot reverberated.
Upon reviewing the footage, detectives observed a man entering the backyard, where the side entrance to the garage was located. The chilling audio captured the opening of a gate followed by a barrage of eight shots, further underscoring the severity of the violence perpetrated. Tragically, Mikell succumbed to his injuries at the hospital, while Luke was fatally struck by a single shot to the head.
The investigation took a chilling turn as Skonecki’s own family members provided damning testimony regarding his involvement in the murders. Skonecki’s brother recounted a disturbing confession, detailing how Skonecki arrived at his home in the dead of night, admitting to the killings in gruesome detail. According to reports, Skonecki callously boasted of “blowing” Luke’s head off, justifying the act by claiming that “he deserves it.”
In a dramatic turn of events, Skonecki surrendered himself to authorities at the Pinellas Park Police Department later that day, accompanied by family members. His vehicle, harboring incriminating evidence in the form of a handgun, was seized by police as part of the ongoing investigation.
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As the legal proceedings unfold, Skonecki remains incarcerated without bond at the Pinellas County Jail, facing the full weight of justice for his alleged crimes. The community of Pinellas Park grapples with the shock and grief wrought by this senseless act of violence, while law enforcement continues their relentless pursuit of truth and accountability in pursuit of closure for the victims and their loved ones