Florida man arrested after allegedly killing stepdaughter in row over manners

A sixty-four-year-old Florida man is facing second-degree murder charges after allegedly shooting and killing his thirty-nine-year-old stepdaughter following a minor argument regarding manners.

On Sunday, James Pelzer of Pensacola was arrested by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in connection with the fatal shooting of Alanda Cuffee.

According to an arrest report, a deputy responded to the residence on Gulf Breeze Avenue at approximately 10 a.m. and discovered Pelzer kneeling in the street.

Upon being approached by law enforcement, Pelzer reportedly stated, "I messed up bad. I messed up bad."

Inside the home, deputies discovered Ms Cuffee unresponsive on the floor in a pool of blood, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds.

The victim’s mother, Yvonne Pelzer, explained that the confrontation began when she asked her daughter to move so James could pass through the kitchen.

When Ms Cuffee replied, "Well, mama, he could say excuse me," the suspect allegedly left the room and returned with a handgun.

The report alleges that Pelzer immediately fired four to five shots at his stepdaughter without saying a word, later telling his wife to "be quiet" as she prayed over her dying child.

Yvonne Pelzer informed investigators that while her husband had a history of anger issues and often threatened to use his firearm, he had not been physically violent previously.

Deputies recovered the handgun resting on top of a bible near the front door. James Pelzer is currently being held without bond at the Escambia County Jail, while friends remember the late Ms Cuffee as a selfless individual.