Last Updated: March 15, 10:32 a.m.
Thursday update: Paul Miller, the man who shot Dana Mulhall Wednesday evening, has been set free. See the story here.
March 14–A man is dead, another is in custody, arrested by Flagler Beach police, after a shooting described as methodical and deliberate shattered the calm of South Flagler Avenue this evening, just after 6 p.m.
Very little is known at the moment, except for a few details: the fatal incident evolved from an argument between neighbors: the residents of 1336 and 1340 South Flagler Avenue. The suspect shot the man on the front porch of the brown house, inside a light brown picket fence, at 1340. They may have been arguing about a dog.
Several neighbors either heard or saw the incident: they’re giving statements and being interviewed by Flagler Beach police and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
“Basically I was sitting inside my office at my computer and I heard five, slow gunshots,” Jon Denny, a homeowner who lives two houses north of the crime scene, on the opposite side of the street, said. “It sounded like a small caliber, a .38 or a 9mm. Because they were so slow, pop, pop, pop, a second in between, it sounded like construction.” But Denny is familiar with guns, he owns several guns. He briefly looked out the window, and didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary until police cars arrived. “I didn’t hear any shouting, nobody screaming, none of that stuff.”
Denny moved to Flagler Beach from Southern California, where shootings are a bit more frequent. “I may see the occasional car pulled over but I’ve never seen anything happening here, it’s been quite nice,” he said.
Neighbors further up the street were concerned about their children, on hearing of a shooting, but authorities said there was nothing to fear, the suspect being in custody.
South Flagler Beach Avenue was closed to traffic, including pedestrians (except residents) between 13th and 14th Street shortly after 6 p.m., and remains closed as of 7:50 p.m. Authorities were awaiting the medical examiner, who must release the body of the victim before it can be moved. (The medical examiner arrived at the scene at 8:45 p.m.)
The victim was a landscaper well known around town, who’d lived in the small, 1,000 square-foot house on Flagler Avenue more than a dozen years after moving there from Maine. He counted Linda Provencher, the Flagler Beach mayor, and her husband, among his friends. “A wonderful, wonderful guy,” is how Provencher described him, shocked to hear of the shooting. “He’s very non-confrontational. Very laid back. A nice guy.”
Carla Cline, a neighbor on Flagler Avenue, some five or six houses north of the crime scene, had been friends with the victim for the 12 years she’d lived there. I’ve never seen him ever outside of slightly frustrated at silly things,” Cline said. “But never violent. Quiet, nice.” She said he was a hunter, a fisherman, a landscaper. “Anybody would tell you, he was a cool, nice, easy-going guy.”
Rachel Romatz Palmer via Facebook says
Well, maybe I won’t run that way in the morning…hmmm. Seriously? hmmm.
Rebecca Fiedler OShane via Facebook says
Glad they caught him. All over a dog? Thats crazy.
Mike Conklin via Facebook says
Gotta love flagler!!!
Angela Smith via Facebook says
How very sad.
Megan Neste via Facebook says
So crazy and sad !
tom hodgin says
my daughter was very close to the deceased…We are all shocked. . We are so very sorry this happened….what a helpless feeling for us all….He was a great story teller…great since of humor …just fun to be around…He will be missed…..tom
Tressie Paytas says
I have known Dana 20 Plus years. He is a great person and always been. This sickens me!!!! THIS IS UNCALLED FOR!!!!!!
Tressie J DuPont Paytas
Colleen Wigington via Facebook says
:(
Vonda says
Devastated and very sad….We have been friends since we were five years old~My heart is feeling very heavy tonight and will for quite a while…prayers for friends and family are being said up and down the east coast. Barking dogs, is it safe anywhere in this world? Peace Be With You~
jude says
Shocked is definetly the word!! He will me missed for sure in this house. No one compares to Uncle Dana around here. Speechless!
BRENDA LAFERRIERE-MULHALL says
WORDS CAN NEVER EXPLAIN THE PAIN THAT COMES WITH A HORRIFIC LOSS OF ONE OF THE SWEETEST, KINDEST, FUNNIEST, SERIOUS HUNTERS AROUND,. AND ONE OF THE BEST BROTHER-IN-LAWS AND UNCLES AND GREAT UNCLE AROUND. MY BROTHER-IN-LAW DANA, THE UNCLE OF 3 BOYS AND ONE SPECIAL GIRL AND GREAT UNCLE TO ANOTHER BOY, THE BROTHER (IN-LAW)TO A PRECIOUS SISTER AND HER HUSBAND AN AVID HUNTER, AND ONE BROTHER (WHO WAS HIS HUNTING PARTNER FROM YEAR TO YEAR..) AND A SON TO TWO AWESOME PARENTS, WHO NEVER BOTHER A SOUL.,,,,,HOW DO YOU TRY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED. THANK GOD THE CULPRIT WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY, WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE HE MAY HAVE DONE TO SOME OTHER UNSUSPECTING FAMILIES. IT IS SO HARD TO TRY TO FATHOM WHY SOMEONE WOULD BRANDISH A FIREARM OVER A NORMAL PROBLEM. I MYSELF, NOT SPEAKING FOR ANYONE ELSE INCLUDED IN MY COMMENT I MYSELF HAVE NEVER SHOT AN ANIMAL IN MY LIFE, BUT IF THERE WERE A CHOICE TO ELEMINATE OR PUT THE CULPRIT IN JAIL FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE. I WOULD WILLING MYSELF, SHOOT THE “SON OF A BITCH” AND LET HIM HANG JUST LIKE A MOOSE DOES UNTIL EVERY DROP OF BLOOD IS DRAINED…………REST IN PEACE DANA—MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU FOREVER……I AM SO BLESSED TO HAVE BEEN TOUCHED BY YOUR PRESCIENCE IN MY LIFE…….AS OUR YOUR NEPHEWS, WHO I’M SURE WILL MISS YOUR MANY STORIES YOU STILL HAD TO TELL. I DO BELIEVE THAT THEY WILL REPEAT MANY OF YOUR ADVENTURES TO THEIR OWN CHILDREN AS ONE I BELIEVE IS WAITING UNTIL HIS SON IS OLD ENOUGH AND IN THE MIDDLE OF SKINNING A MOOSE OR A DEER. ALL MY LOVE, THOUGHTS, AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO ALL IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS AND OUR EXTENDED FAMILIES….GOD BLESS US ALL……
Anonymous says
Gun control is an issue in our society! Solving thing with bullets has always been an issue with me. RIP Dana.
elaygee says
If you go to your house and get a gun and then shoot someone on their property who isn’t even near you, that’s murder in the first degree, worhty of the highest penalty.
The Truth says
I’m very sad to read this. All over a barking dog? This family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
It sounds like things escalated very quickly and hot heads took over. I realize that people kill people, not guns, but I do feel that there are many people in this world who SHOULD NOT be carrying. Carrying a weapon like a gun should be a privilege, not a right.
ANONYMOUSAY says
Looks like people are starting to cash in on “Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law” if YOU perceive a threat you can use deadly force to eliminate it. Sad, there have been Police, Military personal and etc who have been in life and death situations and made it out alive without firing a shot or taking a life. This kill or be killed mentality is sending humanity down the drain faster than a bullet leaves the barrel of a gun. “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” Simple but timely.
Anonymous says
I hope they throw the book at the scum that murdered him. What a sick, horrible person! And all over a dog barking…..
happening now says
Watch what happens now…….
palmcoaster says
This is what all these guns, in the wrong bully hands are use for …killing innocent people.
Ed says
@anonymous I agree 100% with you. Everyone thinks that running to get their gun is the answer. People are uneducated about the law and there needs to be clear cut rules about guns. I heard a story the other day about a guy shooting off his gun in the area because of two dogs fighting. Seriously? That’s a reason to start firing off warning shots. Some people need to get a grip.
a friend says
…and now they let the guy go? since when is cold blooded murder not a crime? Dana is not here to defend himself…self defense? I don’t think so.
Sheena says
THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO DANA’S FAMILY AND FRIENDS-HE WILL BE SORELY MISSED BY THOSE WHO KNEW AND LOVED HIM IN JACKMAN,MAINE,HIS HOMETOWN…RIP DANA….Sheena
christa says
the whole story, both sides hasn’t been told. there is history and more to the story. A senseless tragedy that should not have ever happen, but i assure you, if you know paul, he is not a violent aggressive person. he is very loving and giving who have a lot of people who love him too. in his mind, he felt threatened and unfortunately acted on it.
God bless both families in this time.
John Smith says
Well Paul was violent and aggressive enough to not just shoot this guy once but unload 5 count them FIVE and hit him with THREE bullets that KILLED this guy so there is NO DEFENSE for this poor Paul he is a MURDERER for taking a life of a human being.
Danny says
Christa:
You are absolutely correct. Paul would only react to a threat not initiate one.
There really is another side to this story and I hope Paul can get his told. From what I am reading, the public opinion is very against him, I just hope the justice system can do him justice. It will take a while to sort out the facts and I really do hope that someone can come forward who is unbiased and honest as a witness.
I have read in recent articles the words slow and methodical. Slow I doubt it and methodical…really cmon give me a break, you either saw it or you didn’t. I reminds of “sounding angry in your text” . Methodical indicates that you were there and can attest to a frame of mind. You weren’t so shut up. More than one family is devastated by this tragedy and both will need to heal. They don’t need anybody meddling or pretending to know what exactly happened.
Reality is you don’t know the intent of Paul. I do, very simply he had his life threatened, things escalated and simply put, he defended himself, his wife and house, as any good man would probably do in the same situation.
As for the press, I am smart enough to know that stupid headlines sell papers, unfortunately you are making Paul out to be a very callous, uncaring, mean man who senselessly killed another man. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Danny says
You don’t know how you would react to a man who threatened to kill you then moments later, reached behind his back as if to pull out a gun. A very real threat from a man who just got home from a bar. What would you really do? Have you ever even held a gun much less shot one? I doubt it.
Marissa says
Horrible tragedy. ALL who know Dana KNOW he DIDN’T deserve this!!!!!! Crazy OLD MAN!!!!!
doug james says
hey danny…i have held a gun…if you read the damn paper…ol man miller shot him in the back….4 times while dana was running to his house…the story came out of millers mouth himself..dana didnt carry a gun and if anything he cussed the ol man out….miller sat on his porch with the gun in his back pocket and waited…first degree murder in my opinion…and miller stated and i quote…I shot his f…… ass……have a nice day…YOU DONT SHOOT AN UNARMED MAN IN THE BACK….PERIOD….the gun is not the problem its the person with the gun….common sense in this case should tell you that mr. miller had every intention of finishing his arguments over his yapping dog with dana once and for all….and he did…period..thts why the ste attrny filed murder charges…i rest my case…rip dana…my condolences to the mulhall family and friends in jackman maine as well as dana’s many friends in flagler…