A Long Island man faces murder charges after allegedly shooting his ex-wife and her boyfriend in their home while the couple’s teenage daughter waited in the car outside. The tragic case has sent shockwaves through the community and raised questions about domestic violence and gun control.
A Family Torn Apart
On Wednesday night, a seemingly ordinary evening in St. James, Long Island, turned into a scene of unimaginable horror. Daniel Copa, 50, is accused of forcing his way into the home of his ex-wife, Kelly Copa, and fatally shooting her and her boyfriend, Kenneth “Kenny” Pullman Jr.
Copa’s 15-year-old daughter was in his car outside during the murders. According to investigators, Copa had contacted his daughter and told her to come outside, indicating he would pick her up.
Fearing for her mother’s safety, the teenager texted her friends about the situation. Soon after, police received a 911 call reporting that the teenager had left with her father without her mother’s permission.
A Gruesome Discovery and a Confession
The 15-year-old and Copa returned to his house around 11:45 p.m., at which point the teen called 911, reporting that her father was threatening suicide.
Officers took Copa into custody and, while investigating the call about the teenager, made the gruesome discovery of Kelly and Kenny’s bodies in Kenny’s home shortly before midnight.
Copa reportedly confessed to the killings. Body camera footage captured his confession, further solidifying the case against him. He pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder at his arraignment in Suffolk County on Friday.
A History of Domestic Violence and a Planned Attack
Details emerging from the investigation paint a disturbing picture of Copa’s state of mind leading up to the murders. A search of his home revealed a typewritten note detailing his plans for the shooting. Chillingly, detectives also found a bullet with the names of individuals involved in his divorce case, including his attorney.
Prosecutors revealed that Copa’s divorce from Kelly was final but contentious. Although they shared a seemingly happy past, evident in social media posts from several years prior, Kelly had moved on with Kenny, and the two were together for nearly two years before the tragic incident.
The Aftermath and a Community in Mourning
The double homicide has left two families shattered and a community reeling. Kenny’s brother, Tom Pullman, spoke out about the tragedy, describing Kenny and Kelly as a loving couple who brought out the best in each other.
Tom expressed the family’s profound grief and emphasized the need to focus on the love Kenny and Kelly shared, rather than the horrific act that took their lives.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to support the three children left without a parent: Kelly’s two children, Tyler and Brianna, who lost their mother 18 years prior to cancer, and Kenny’s daughter, Jenna. The fund aims to provide financial security and support for their future.
Justice and a Call for Change
Copa is currently being held without bail, and his case will be presented to a grand jury for indictment. As the legal process unfolds, the families and the community are left grappling with unanswered questions and a profound sense of loss.
A makeshift memorial with flowers and photos was put up outside the home where Kelly Copa and her boyfriend were murderedA makeshift memorial for Kelly Copa and Kenneth Pullman Jr., erected outside the home where the murders took place.
This tragedy underscores the devastating impact of domestic violence and the urgent need for accessible resources and support for victims. It also reignites the debate surrounding gun control and the measures needed to prevent such senseless acts of violence.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on seeking justice for Kelly and Kenny and providing support for the families as they navigate this unimaginable loss.
