Couple With 16 Kids Killed During Home Invasion

Beulah, FL - The Escambia County Sheriff's Office is searching for three men they say shot and killed the mother and father of 16 children during a home invasion/robbery.

According to deputies, Byrd and Melanie Billings were shot just before eight Thursday night at their home on Mobile Highway in the Beulah Community. Beulah is about 17 miles northwest of Pensacola, near the Alabama/Florida state line.

Investigators say eight of the children, ages 8-14, were home when the couple was shot. One of the kids heard the gunshots and called a family friend. Sheriff's Office spokesman Sgt. Ted Roy says one of them parents was shot in the head. Autopsies have not been completed.
The Billings have 16 children; 12 of them adopted, some of whom have special needs.

Deputies are looking for the red, full size van seen in these photos and three white males. The house did have a security surveillance system. Deputies say they could be releasing some of the surveillance video later today.

We'll have more on this story on News 5 at 5:00 and 6:00.