Elderly woman accused of killing terminally ill husband in planned murder-suicide

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (TCD) -- A 76-year-old woman stands accused of fatally shooting her 77-year-old terminally ill husband inside a hospital over the weekend.

On Saturday, Jan. 21, Daytona Beach Police officers responded to Advent Health Hospital on Medical Memorial Parkway to a report of a person shot, the department announced. There, a female suspect allegedly confined herself to her husband's hospital room after shooting him.

In a press conference posted by WOFL-TV, Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young said hostage negotiators were able to establish a dialogue with the suspect, Ellen Gilland, that lasted approximately three and a half hours.

Police reportedly had to use a flash bang and Taser to get Gilland to drop the gun, and she eventually surrendered.

Young said Ellen Gilland and her husband, Jerry Gilland, planned the "murder-suicide" pact approximately three weeks ago and agreed to go through with it if the victim's health condition worsened. However, after shooting her husband, the suspect reportedly did not go through with her end of the deal.

The shooting happened on the 11th floor, which reportedly mainly consists of terminally ill patients, many of whom are on ventilators. The surrounding rooms reportedly had to be cleared despite the "logistical nightmare." However, police said staff and patients were safely evacuated from the hospital, and no one else was injured.

Police are unsure how the suspect was able to bring the gun into the hospital, and the investigation is ongoing.

Ellen Gilland was arrested and booked into Volusia County Jail for first-degree murder and three counts of aggravated assault, records show.

According to WESH-TV, Gilland appeared in court on Sunday, Jan. 22 and was denied bond.

In a statement obtained by WESH, AdventHealth said, "We are devastated by the tragedy that unfolded at the AdventHealth Daytona Beach campus today, and our prayers are with those impacted. We are grateful for the Daytona Beach Police Department in helping ensure the safety of our patients, team members and visitors."

MORE:

• Press Release - Daytona Beach Police Department
• Volusia County Jail Records
• Florida woman who shot, killed husband at Daytona Beach hospital charged with murder, denied bond: police - WOFL
• Police: Woman accused of killing terminally ill husband at Daytona Beach hospital planned shooting with spouse - WESH