OCOEE, Fla. – A woman was slain Friday morning outside a Planet Fitness in Ocoee, and the prime suspect in her homicide was detained by police after he was held at the scene by two bystanders, according to police.
Ocoee police said officers were called around 7:30 a.m. to a disturbance in the parking lot of the gym at 10908 W. Colonial Drive.
According to police, officers found Jessica L. Steigelman, of Winter Garden, unresponsive and gravely injured on the ground while the bystanders were holding Shannon W. King, 55, of Orlando.
Steigelman was taken to a hospital, where she died, police said.
King was detained by police at the scene, according to police, and online jail records show he was later booked on a charge of first-degree murder with a weapon.
No other information about the homicide or arrest have been released by police.
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“This is an active and ongoing homicide investigation,” police said in a Facebook post. “Anyone with information is asked to contact Ocoee Police Detectives at 407-905-3160 or Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS.”
News 6 spoke with Arielle Williams, who said she was working out at Planet Fitness when she saw investigators in the parking lot.
“It’s pretty scary. You can’t even work out and do what you’re supposed to do. Like, every time we go somewhere it’s always something,” Williams said.
Romi Wiley said she had a vantage point of the crime scene from her car.
“That’s when I saw the police officers and the cop cars and everything,” Wiley said. “I’m not sure of the whole situation that happened, I know they did take a woman away and (were) doing CPR on her, I just hope everybody is OK.”
A Planet Fitness spokesperson sent the following statement to News 6:
Our thoughts are with the victim. We are cooperating with police in their investigation and do not have any additional information to share at this time. We refer you to the appropriate local authorities.
Planet Fitness Public Relations
This is a developing story. Check back with News 6 for updates.
Detectives are actively working the scene of a homicide at Ocoee’s Planet Fitness parking lot area. Please stay out of the area. We have a suspect in custody. More information will be forthcoming.
— Ocoee Police (@OcoeePD) March 1, 2024
HAPPENING NOW: We are waiting to get more details following a police response outside the Planet Fitness in Ocoee.
— Ezzy Castro (@EzzyCastro) March 1, 2024
Large perimeter in the parking lot. @news6wkmg pic.twitter.com/Bp4CIN8hhS
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