CHULUOTA, Fla. – Three people were found dead Friday morning at a home in Chuluota and now deputies are looking for a person of interest, according to the Seminole County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies found the bodies at a home on Sultan Circle while making a well-being check around 9:15 a.m. after an employer reported that one of the victims had not come to work. The street was blocked off during the investigation.
Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma said a woman in her 50s and two men in their 30s were found inside the home suffering from what appeared to be gunshot wounds.
One victim was near the garage, one was near the kitchen and a third was in what appeared to be a home office. The shooting is believed to have happened between 10 p.m. Thursday and 7 a.m. Friday.
Lemma said it appears that the victims and the shooter knew each other. A white 1996 Honda Accord bearing custom license plate number L1GH7, which spells "light," is missing from the home and authorities said they are attempting to locate the driver.
The registered car owner is related to the people who live at the home.
SCSO is investigating a triple homicide on Sultan Cir, Chuluota. We are looking for a PERSON OF INTEREST, Grant Amado, 29. He may be driving a ‘96 white Accord with FL tag L1GH7. He should be considered armed & dangerous. If seen do not approach call 911. pic.twitter.com/35TwD0s82J
— Seminole County S.O. (@SeminoleSO) January 25, 2019
Deputies said late Friday afternoon that Grant Amato, 29, is a person of interest in the shootings and could be driving the Honda.
"I think we should treat the suspect as if they are armed but at this point in time, you never know what a criminal mind is going to do. Sometimes they get rid of the gun, sometimes they do that," Lemma said.
Firearms were found near the victims but there were also guns missing from the home, according to deputies.
Anyone who sees the vehicle, which is believed to be in the Orlando area, possibly near or on State Road 408, is asked to call 911 or law enforcement officials immediately and not attempt to approach the driver.
Sheriff's Office deputies also went to a Maitland Center Parkway office building about 20 miles from the death investigation to contact someone who is either a friend or family member of the victims. Lemma said that person was located and has been cooperating with the investigation.
Lemma called the shootings "horrific" and said authorities hope to quickly make an arrest.
"We're going to ensure that we do everything we can to get that person in custody very, very soon," Lemma said.