An assistant professor at Nova Southeastern University is dead and a mother and child barely escaped with their lives after a robber shot the man then set the family's home on fire early Tuesday morning in Plantation.
The victim has been identified as Dr. Joseph Morrissey, a biology professor at Nova, according to university officials. Police have yet to confirm Morrissey as the victim.
The deadly incident happened at 12:30 a.m. on the 600 block of NW 75th Terrace when a man broke into the home as the Morrissey family slept.
The robber tied up the husband and wife while their 5-year old child was sleeping in a nearby room, Plantation Police Det. Robert Rettig said. The robber then shot the husband to death and set the house of fire before fleeing.
Police said the woman was able to free herself and escaped the burning home with her child. Neighbors said she frantically knocked on doors for help before calling 911.
Morrissey, 46, got his PHD from Stanford and did his postdoctoral training at the University of Miami. A senior scientist at Motorola for over 12 years, Morrissey joined Nova in May of 2009.
"He was well liked by faculty, students, and staff, and will be missed immensely," the college said in a statement.
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Bryon Andino lives across the street from the scene of the crime and spoke with the woman after the incident.
"I just came out, saw her and hugged her," he said. "Why did they kill him? "She said they gave him everything they had but still they killed him."
The woman and her child weren't seriously injured and were taken to the Plantation Police Department to be questioned. There are certain details detectives are not giving out as to not compromise the investigation. They won't say what the robber got away with, or why this particular family was targeted.
At this time, there is no description of the suspect, but police say they are actively looking for him right now. In the meantime, they encourage the Plantation and surrounding communities to be vigilant and keep their doors locked.
