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Background: News footage of the home in Sanford, Fla., where Bill Toth was shot on Feb. 3 (WOFL). Inset: Shaun Simon (Seminole County Sheriff”s Office).
A Florida resident faces murder charges after police reported he confessed to shooting his father-in-law, whom he described as a “narcissist.”
Shaun Simon, 42, appeared in court on Wednesday, charged with first-degree murder in the death of Bill Toth. According to an arrest report accessed by Law&Crime, Bill Toth was the father of Simon’s wife, Jennifer Simon. The couple shared a home with her parents, Bill and Carol Toth. The incident occurred late Tuesday night when Seminole County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the residence in Sanford following reports of a shooting.
Upon arrival, emergency responders were already providing critical care to Bill Toth, who was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Following the incident, Shaun Simon, Jennifer Simon, and Carol Toth were taken to the sheriff’s office for questioning. Both Jennifer and her mother informed authorities that Bill Toth had exhibited signs of dementia over recent months, contributing to household tension. Additionally, there were suspicions of infidelity involving Bill Toth and Carol Toth.
The two women recounted to police that on Tuesday evening, Bill Toth allegedly “slapped” Carol Toth. Following the incident, Carol informed her daughter and son-in-law in their bedroom. Witnesses reported that Shaun Simon was “visibly upset” by the revelation and promptly left to confront his father-in-law.
Shortly after Shaun Simon left the bedroom, the mother and daughter heard a loud “bang.” They went down to the kitchen and saw Bill Toth “lying on the kitchen floor, staring blankly at the ceiling.”
Shaun Simon was read his rights by police and continued to speak during his questioning. He told police that upon hearing that Bill Toth had struck his mother-in-law, he “made the decision to shoot Bill Toth.” Police said Shaun Simon admitted to retrieving a handgun from underneath a “makeshift ‘dog ramp’” and shooting Bill Toth once in the chest in the home’s kitchen.
According to the report, Shaun Simon told police that he unloaded the handgun “knowing that law enforcement would be arriving shortly.” He told police that Bill Toth was a “narcissist” who was “making his life miserable.”
Shaun Simon was charged with first-degree premeditated murder and ordered to be held without bail. His arraignment is scheduled for March 24.