Seven arrested for Billings Murders

PENSACOLA, Fla. - UPDATE: Three more suspects have been arrested in the murders of Byrd and Melanie Billings. 19-year-old Frederick Thorton, Jr. and a 16-year-old were both picked up in Okaloosa County. A third suspect was picked up in Brewton. That makes a total of seven suspects in custody in the case. Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan says all primary suspects are now in custody. They are still looking at a possible suspect on other charges.

Here's the seven suspects Sheriff David Morgan listed:

• Leonard Patrick Gonzalez Jr., 35

• Leonard Patrick Gonzalez Sr., 56

• Wayne Thomas Coldiron, 41

• Gary Lamont Sumner, 30

• Fredrick Lee Thornton, 19

• Donald Ray Stallworth, 28

• An unidentified juvenile, 16

During a noon news conference Tuesday, Sheriff Morgan said this was a home invasion murder. Morgan told reporters Leonard Gonzalez, Jr. was the "organizer" of the crime.  When asked what was stolen from the home, Morgan responded that at least one safe was taken from the home.

Wednesday evening, Sheriff Morgan announced the arrest of  Lamont Sumner. He was arrested and charged with an open count of murder. Deputies say robbery was one of the motives in the murders.

The Billings had 17 children. 13 of them were special needs, and were adopted. The couple was found shot to death in their Beulah home last Thursday.

56-year-old Leonard Gonzalez, Sr. told investigators he was the get-away driver in the home invasion that ended in the deaths of Bryd and Melanie Billings.

Surveillance video from the Billings home on Mobile Highway show the red van driving up to the house Thursday evening. According to the report Gonzalez: "stayed in the van, moving to the driver's seat as the rest of the suspects entered the residence and committed the robbery."

Gonzalez's statement said those other suspects included 41-year-old Wayne Coldiron, who appeared to have a freshly shaven head, as he was led from the sheriff's office early Monday morning. The elder Gonzalez told investigators his son, "Leonard Gonzalez Junior and several black males" were also involved.

Coldiron and Gonzalez, Jr. are charged with murder. Gonzalez, Sr.is charged with evidence tampering.

"He tried to alter the van. In what way, he attempted to conceal damage and paint the van," said Sheriff David Morgan.

The report goes on to say "Gonzalez indicated he was not sure... who shot the victims... but both Wayne Coldiron and Leonard Gonzalez... entered the residence armed with handguns."

In one of the reports Gonzalez, Sr. said he did it to "change the appearance due to the van being used in the homicide." But, neighbors, including Dave Barnes had already seen the van more than a week earlier.

"I think it's the same van I've seen there on several occasions in the past two weeks," said Barnes.

The police report also indicated surveillance video matched details "given in the version of events described by Gonzalez, Sr."

Three suspects were seen on the surveillance video inside the home. They were wearing masks, and two of the suspects carried long guns.