Three More Arrested In Billings Murder Case

8:24 p.m.
Click here to read the arrest warrant for Leonard Gonzalez, Jr.

1:49 p.m.
The last three suspects arrested are:

28-year-old Donald Stallworth

19-year-old Fredrick Thornton

Rakeem Florence

10:29 a.m.
Three more people, including a 16-year-old, have been arrested in the murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings. The wealthy couple known for adopting special needs children was shot to death Thursday in their Beulah, Florida home.

Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan says 6 to 8 people were involved in the murders. As of Monday night, the Sheriff's Office had arrested four people; Leonard Gonzalez Sr., Leonard Gonzalez Jr, Wayne Coldiron, and Gary Sumner.

Monday afternoon, a judge set bond at $500,000 for Leonard Gonzalez Sr. So far, he's only charged with tampering with evidence.

Leonard Gonzalez Jr, Wayne Coldiron, and Gary Sumner are all charged with two counts of murder. Gonzalez Jr and Coldiron will be in court this afternoon for a bond hearing.

Like Sumner, two of the latest suspects were arrested in Okaloosa County.

Florida State Attorney Bill Eddins says the motive for the crime was home invasion/robbery. He says a safe was taken from the home, along with other items you typically see taken during a robbery. Sheriff Morgan says practice and planning went into the home invasion.

Sheriff Morgan says Leonard Gonzalez Jr was the ring leader and that some of the suspects have confessed.

The last four suspects arrested all worked at an auto detailing shop in Okaloosa County. Some of the other murder suspects had been hired at one time or another to do work around the Billings' home.

Eddins says charges against Leonard Gonzalez Sr will be upgraded from tampering with evidence to murder. He also says he will seek first-degree murder charges against all seven suspects.

News 5 first reported this story as BREAKING NEWS on wkrg.com.
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