'I Killed Them All' — Man Confesses After Slaughtering Ex's Family

A horrifying act of violence has left a Missouri family shattered after three generations of women were gunned down in their home. What began as a dispute between exes allegedly escalated into a deadly rampage, leaving a mother, daughter, and grandmother dead, and a fourth victim lucky to escape with her life. Now, the man accused of the killings is behind bars, facing the possibility of the death penalty.

A Deadly Dispute Turns Fatal

Armando Navarro Jr., 50, has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder, armed criminal action, assault, and animal abuse following the shooting deaths of 73-year-old Sherri Duncan, 49-year-old Jodie Hopcus, and 24-year-old Hailey Hopcus at their Kansas City home on Feb. 2.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Navarro had been living at the home but was in the process of being kicked out. The surviving victim, identified as Jodie's youngest daughter, told police that Navarro appeared to be gathering his belongings before suddenly returning with a handgun and opening fire. When he ran out of bullets, he allegedly retrieved a larger firearm and continued shooting.

The victim managed to escape the house and ran to a neighbor's home for help. As she hid, she recalled hearing Navarro call out her name. The neighbor called 911, and police arrived to find the three women fatally shot inside the home, along with a dog that had also been killed.

Captured After Fleeing the Scene

After the shooting, Navarro fled in a 2020 Ford Expedition belonging to one of the victims. Authorities issued an alert, and he was later found in Abilene, Kansas, where his vehicle had broken down. Kansas Highway Patrol troopers took him into custody without incident.

Prior to his arrest, a man called 911 and reported that Navarro had confessed to the killings, allegedly telling him he'd "killed them all," PEOPLE reported.

A Family Torn Apart

The victims spanned three generations of the same family. A GoFundMe set up to assist with funeral expenses described Jodie as a "beautiful person" who was "caring, funny, and always positive." The fundraiser also aims to support Angel, the only surviving daughter, who witnessed the attack and escaped with her life.

Could This Become a Death Penalty Case?

Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd has not ruled out seeking the death penalty against Navarro, stating that he will take several weeks to decide. "Whatever decision I ultimately make, [it] falls heaviest on the surviving family members," Zahnd said, according to KSHB.

Navarro is currently being held without bond, and the community is left mourning the loss of three beloved women. Meanwhile, Angel, the sole survivor, faces the difficult task of rebuilding her life after witnessing unimaginable horror. As the case moves forward, justice for Sherri, Jodie, and Hailey will be at the center of every legal decision made.

References: Grandmother, Mother, and Daughter — Along with Their Dog — Killed After Dispute with Victim's Ex: Police | Man charged with 1st-degree murder in gruesome deaths of 3 Northland women | Help Cover Funeral Costs for Jodie, Sherri, and Hailey