Reverend Robert J. "Bob" Hoeffner, a 76-year-old retired Catholic priest, and his sister, Sally Hoeffner, were found slain at their residence in Palm Bay, Florida, on the evening of January 28, 2024. The incident was part of a multi-location rampage that also resulted in the death of another man and left two police officers injured.
The violence began earlier that day when Palm Bay police responded to a domestic disturbance at a home where 24-year-old Brandon William Kapas was reported
to be damaging property at a birthday party. Kapas' uncle informed the responding officers that his nephew might have weapons on his person and in his vehicle. Following this incident, Kapas shot his grandfather, William Kapas, to death at their home just after 2 p.m..
Later, police discovered the bodies of Father Robert Hoeffner and his sister, Sally Hoeffner, at their home, attributing the homicides to Kapas. The suspect was eventually killed by police after a confrontation that also left two officers with minor injuries from gunfire.
Father Bob Hoeffner had a distinguished career as a Catholic priest, serving for over 50 years. He was born in Queens, New York, and later lived in Cohocton, New York, and Fort Pierce, Florida. He attended St. John Vianney Seminary in Miami and St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach before beginning his priesthood. His assignments included Good Shepherd Parish in Orlando, Bishop Moore Catholic High School, and the San Pedro Spiritual Development Center. He was also known as the "television priest" for celebrating mass on television for 28 years across five dioceses in Florida. In 1987, he established St. Isaac Jogues Parish in southeast Orlando and later served at St. Joseph’s Parish in Palm Bay from 1999 until his retirement.
Father Hoeffner was highly respected for his service to the community, particularly for his work in building a multicultural parish and establishing programs to serve the poor. He was also known for his musical talents, occasionally playing the guitar during services, and for his culinary skills, especially his clam chowder at the annual Fall Festival.
The deaths of Father Hoeffner and his sister were met with widespread mourning from the St. Joseph Catholic community and the broader Catholic community in the Orlando Diocese. Bishop John Gerard Noonan issued a statement expressing sorrow and extending prayers to the families of the victims.
