Venita Christine Keen
The gunman and his estranged wife, who was hold up in the Super 8 Motel Standoff have both died from gunshots wounds they received in a shootout with police.
Eddie Eugene Collins, 42, and his estranged wife were shot this afternoon as the standoff came to a head. During a press conference with Florence Police Chief Ron Tyler the female was identified as Venita Christine Keen of Lee County, Florida
Witnesses said they heard a loud explosion after 1pm. This according to officials was police attempting to breach the door of the room.
Shots were fired after the explosion and the standoff was over very quickly after police shot the two.
“It was unclear whether Ms. Keen was a hostage or an accomplice,” said Chief Tyler. “The situation changed from where it was initially,” and “they were abusing substances,” prior to the shootout.
According to police, both Collins and Keen are dead.
The standoff lasted 36 hours.
No officers were injured.
Shoals Insider
*****Our thoughts and prayers are with the Collins family and the officers involved in this situation.*****
