Lake Wales man kills ex-girlfriend, shoots ex's friend in the head

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A Lake Wales man has been arrested for allegedly murdering his ex-girlfriend and then shooting her friend. The woman is now recovering in the hospital after suffering a gunshot wound to the face.

Polk County deputies Lisa Bunce, 56, came from Ohio to visit her friend who lives in the Sweetwater Golf and Tennis Community in Haines City, but her ex-boyfriend showed up and killed her.

Deputies say he then turned the gun on Bunce's friend. He allegedly told investigators he did it to "get rid of the devil."

David Murdock, 60, of Lake Wales is now charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder.

“Every time Lisa came down here, he would come in here," neighbor Neal Puffer said. "And they would barbecue and he would come over and talk to me. He was a nice guy. Everybody in here says what a nice guy.”

Deputies found Murdock in the front yard of the home of 66-year-old Sandra Andrews - the friend who Bunce was visiting. Deputies were called just after 1 o’clock Saturday morning by several neighbors who heard gunshots.

“It’s unbelievable," Puffer said. "It’s the saddest thing. This is the safest place to live. It’s just crazy.”

When officials arrived, they found a handgun in the driveway and Andrews sitting in the screened porch with a gunshot wound to the face. She told deputies Murdoch shot her.

Once inside, they found Bunce‘s body in the closet of a bedroom, with a gunshot wound to the head.

According to the arrest report, Bunce and Murdock had a troubled relationship that ended in Dec. 2017. Friends told detectives Murdock had threatened violence against Bunce in the past. 

Neighbor Neal Puffer says he’ll remember Bunce for her loving personality.

“She was the sweetest, funniest person I’ve ever known," Puffer said. "She’s always happy.”

Andrews is undergoing treatment at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center and is expected to survive. 

Murdoch is currently being held in the Polk County Jail without bond.