PALM COAST, Fla. – A 47-year-old woman was shot multiple times by her estranged husband before he apparently took his own life Wednesday night at a Palm Coast home, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
Dawn Estrella, 47, and Rakim-Shakur Brooks, 55, were found dead inside a residence on Weyanoke Lane after the Flagler County Emergency Communications Center received multiple 911 calls reporting a shooting at approximately 10:18 p.m. Sept. 30.
Deputies arrived within five minutes and found Brooks dead inside the garage with what investigators described as an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
Estrella was found in a bedroom suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Deputies began life-saving measures before Palm Coast Fire Department and Flagler County Fire Rescue arrived. She was pronounced dead at 10:34 p.m.
Two other people who were inside the home were found unharmed.
Detectives with the Sheriff’s Office Major Case Unit interviewed both witnesses. One told investigators that Brooks and Estrella had been arguing before numerous gunshots were heard. The witness also reported that the couple had a history of arguing and drinking, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Based on the initial investigation, detectives believe Brooks shot Estrella multiple times following the argument and then fatally shot himself.
Brooks and Estrella had been in a relationship for approximately nine years and married in March 2024. The couple was in the process of separating, authorities said.
The Sheriff’s Office said Brooks had 17 previous arrests, including four in Flagler County, resulting in eight felony convictions, five misdemeanor convictions and six terms in state prison. His previous arrests included charges involving aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, robbery with a firearm, domestic battery, child abuse and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Investigators are now trying to determine how Brooks obtained the firearm used in Wednesday night’s shooting. The gun had not been reported stolen, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Rick Staly said the deaths marked the second domestic-related murder-suicide investigated by the agency in recent weeks.
Anyone experiencing domestic violence can contact the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office at 386-313-4911 or call 911 in an emergency. The Family Life Center’s 24-hour Domestic Violence Crisis Helpline is available by call or text at 386-437-3505.