BY: 24/7 CRIME DESK | BocaNewsNow.com
PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2024 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — A 69-year-old Palm Beach County woman is in jail Wednesday morning, charged with shooting and killing her roommate. Susan Russell of 840 Avon Road in West Palm Beach was arrested Tuesday evening. BocaNewsNow.com obtained the arrest report that details the killing in May:
“On 5/16/2024 at approximately 9:18 PM, Ms. Susan Russell (w/f, 69) dialed 911 to summon fire rescue and police to her residence at 840 Avon Road West Palm Beach, FL. Ms. Russell, upset and out of breath, told the police 911 call taker, “I need the f-ing paramedics, I accidentally shot my roommate!” Ms. Russell went on to say, “I was showing my roommate my gun, I thought it was unloaded because the magazine is out of it, and I shot the gun, and I shot my roommate… somewhere in the stomach region.”
West Palm Beach Fire Rescue arrived on scene and discovered Ms. Almengor to have a single gunshot wound to the middle of her chest. Ms. Almengor was taken to St. Mary’s Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead within minutes (time of death, 5/16/2024 at 10:15 PM). Ms. Russell met with investigators, accompanied by her attorney, on 5/17/2024 at approximately 12:32 AM. Your Affiant read Ms. Russell her rights, in accordance with the Miranda ruling and she agreed to speaking with investigators with her attorney present.
Ms. Russell claimed she had discovered her Tarus pistol inside of a piece of luggage as she was packing for a trip. Ms. Almengor allegedly asked to hold the pistol. Ms. Russel admitted she pulled the firearm out of the luggage believing it to be unloaded because the magazine was not inside of the weapon. Ms. Russell handed the weapon to Ms. Almengor and in the process pulled the trigger of the firearm and shot Ms. Almengor in the chest. Ms. Russell said to Your Affiant, “One stupid mistake of not making sure the f-ing chamber was empty when you thought it was, that’s all, double check!”
On 5/17/2024 at approximately 1100 hours, Dr. Belova of The Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office declared the death of Ms. Almengor a Homicide. Your Affiant was able to determine the firearm Ms. Russell shot Ms. Almengor with would fire without a magazine inserted (combat ready weapon). Your Affiant determined Ms. Susan Russell (w/f, 9/12/1955) did kill Ms. Ninoshka Almengor (a human being) by act, procurement, or culpable negligence, without lawful justification when she carelessly pulled the trigger on a firearm which was pointed directly at Ms. Almengor on 5/16/2024.
The death/was not an excusable homicide or murder, therefore the crime of Manslaughter with a firearm occurred on 5/16/2024, pursuant to F. S. S 782.07 and 775.087(1).”
