A tense standoff in Port St. Lucie ended in tragedy on Tuesday when a man accused of fatally shooting two people took his own life after barricading himself inside a home. Police identified the suspect as 62-year-old Paul Maraio, a resident of the same neighborhood where the deadly shootings occurred. Authorities say the ordeal unfolded over two days and left the community shaken and heartbroken.
According to the Port St. Lucie Police Department, officers responded to reports of gunfire around the 2700 block of Southeast Tropical Circle on Monday afternoon. When police arrived, they discovered two men who had been shot in separate locations within the neighborhood. Both victims were pronounced dead, though officials have not yet released their names. Detectives soon identified Maraio as the suspected shooter and learned that he had fled to a nearby residence after the attacks.
Police Chief Leo Niemczyk said investigators believe the shootings stemmed from a long-running dispute between neighbors. “It appears there was an ongoing disagreement that escalated into violence,” Niemczyk explained. “Something pushed our suspect to the breaking point, leading him to take matters into his own hands.” What followed was a terrifying standoff that brought the quiet community to a standstill as law enforcement surrounded the area.
According to police, Maraio took a woman hostage and barricaded himself inside a home while armed. SWAT officers, K-9 units, and crisis negotiators were called to the scene, where they worked to establish communication with the suspect. After tense exchanges lasting nearly an hour, Maraio released the woman unharmed. Authorities praised the hostage’s courage and the negotiators’ efforts in securing her safe release despite the dangerous situation.
Shortly after freeing the hostage, Maraio told negotiators that he had shot himself. Police confirmed the statement using an indoor drone, which showed that the suspect was critically injured. SWAT officers entered the residence and took Maraio into custody before rushing him to a nearby hospital. Despite emergency treatment, police confirmed that Maraio died on Tuesday from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The investigation into the fatal shootings remains ongoing as detectives work to determine what sparked the deadly conflict. Authorities have not released further details about the victims pending notification of their families. Residents in the normally peaceful neighborhood say they are still reeling from the tragedy, describing the incident as “unimaginable” and “deeply unsettling.”
