On December 7, 2024, in Bartow, Florida, 63-year-old Marvin Voigt was fatally shot, and his wife, 58-year-old Susan Voigt, sustained critical injuries. Their son, 23-year-old Joseph Voigt, was arrested in connection with the incident.
The Bartow Police Department received a distress call from Susan at approximately 11:20 p.m., reporting that her son had shot both her and her husband.
Upon arrival, officers found Marvin deceased in the driveway with apparent gunshot wounds, while Susan was inside the residence suffering from a serious gunshot injury. Emergency medical services transported Susan to a hospital, where she remains in critical but stable condition.
Following the shooting, a Be On the Look Out (BOLO) alert was issued for Joseph's vehicle. Around 2:00 a.m., Orlando Police located the vehicle on International Drive and conducted a felony traffic stop, apprehending Joseph without incident. He was initially booked into the Orange County Jail and later transferred to the Polk County Jail.
During questioning, Joseph admitted to shooting his parents, stating that his father was upset with him for spending excessive time playing video games and pressuring him to find employment. Joseph's criminal history includes previous arrests for firing a weapon in a residential area and battery.
Authorities have charged Joseph with first-degree murder for the death of his father and attempted first-degree murder for the shooting of his mother. The investigation is ongoing as officials work to understand the full circumstances surrounding this tragic event.
