Crime & Safety

Polk Teacher, Assistant Principal Victims In Murder, Suicide

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has released the names of three adults found dead inside a Brandon home on Friday.

BRANDON, FL — As the investigation into the deaths of three people found inside a Brandon home on Friday continues, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has released the names of those involved.

Deputies say the two victims found inside the home in the 100 block of Brandon’s Hickory Creek Drive are both educators in Polk County. Samara Routenberg, 39, and Lisa Dawn Fuillerat, 51, were gunned down by Fuillerat’s estranged husband, Vincente Fuillerat, 53, the sheriff’s office said during a Saturday afternoon news conference. Vincente then killed himself.

The Fuillerats were divorcing, several media outlets have reported. A note was found on Vincente Fuillerat, but the sheriff’s office would not reveal its contents.

Find out what's happening in Brandonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Routenberg was an assistant principal at Lakeland’s Lake Gibson Middle School. Lisa Fuillerat taught the sixth grade at the school.

The Polk County school district has said crisis counselors will be at the school on Monday to provide assistance to students and faculty members.

Find out what's happening in Brandonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Vincente Fuillerat was wearing a bulletproof vest when he shot both women multiple times, the sheriff’s office said. While the women armed themselves and fired back at their attacker, the bullets struck the vest.

Vincente, sheriff’s office Col. Donna Luscynski said, went to the home with the intent of killing both women.

Lake Gibson Middle School Principal Alain Douge said the news has left the school devastated.

"A school is like a large extended family," Douge was quoted by the Tampa Bay Times as saying. "Samara and Lisa were loving members of the Lake Gibson Middle family. They were committed to helping students grow in knowledge and character. They will be greatly missed, and we pray for their loved ones."

Image via Shutterstock

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Brandon