- December 16, 2025
UPDATED 3 p.m.
The victim of the shooting has been identified as Stefanie Merrill, wife of William Merrill.
William Merrill is currently being questioned by Flagler County Sheriff’s Office detectives.
Stefanie Merrill is the mother of two children, ages 3 and 6. Detectives said Stefanie Merrill suffered one rifle shot to the chest area. Flagler County Emergency Medical personnel pronounced Stefanie Merrill dead at the scene in the couple’s home at 94 Covington Lane.
The investigation is continuing.
Additional details will be released as they become available.
UPDATED 12:58 p.m.
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies are on the scene of a fatal shooting at a home on Covington Lane, in Palm Coast, according to a statement by the Sheriff’s Office.
At this time, the incident is considered suspicious while the investigaton is under way. Detectives said a 30-year-old woman was shot by her 32-year-old husband as he inspected a firearm inside their home.
Names will not be reported until next of kin has been notified, out of respect for the families.
According to witnesses who were working on the house across the street, the husband's black Toyota Tundra was seen coming and going this morning just before the incident was reported to the Sheriff’s Office, at 9:17 a.m. Tuesday.
One witness said he saw law enforcement arrive and tackle a man, presumably the husband, in front of the house before taking him away in the patrol car.
Lt. Steve Birdsong, of the Flagler County Sheriff's Office, said the husband is being interviewed at the Criminal Investigations Divison, which is standard procedure.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Crime Scene Unit is on scene as well as the State Attorney’s Office’s Homicide Unit out of St. Augustine.
More details will be released as they become available.
Stay with www.PalmCoastObserver.com for updates.
