A prosecutor says a Florida man charged with going on a killing spree, slaying his wife, a neighbor and then going to the church where his wife worked and killing the pastor, has confessed to authorities.
Andres "Andy" Avalos Jr., 33, was arrested just before 4 p.m. Saturday at a mobile home park located just two blocks from the church. His killing spree started Thursday afternoon when authorities said Avalos killed his 33-year-old wife, who was a Sunday school aide, and a neighbor before he went to the church and gunned down the pastor.
The Bradenton Herald reports that during a brief court appearance Sunday, state attorney Art Brown said that Avalos gave a full confession to Manatee County Sheriff investigators.
The newspaper says that during the hearing Judge Peter Dubensky also ordered that Avalos be held without bond on three counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of his wife Amber Avalos, 45-year-old neighbor Denise Potter, and 31-year-old pastor James "Tripp" Battle.
Avalos was taken into custody without incident Saturday at a mobile home park in the Bradenton area of Florida's Gulf Coast.
He had been on the run for two days before his arrest Saturday afternoon. Earlier in the day, Avalos' father made a public plea for his son to turn himself in.
"We are broken and grieved," said Avalos Sr. "I am pleading with you to please turn yourself in... For the sake of your children, they don't understand what's happening.
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Avalos' six children are in state protective custody.
Avalos has a criminal record, including DUI arrests, traffic offenses and a fight during which he was shot in the arm. Criminal records also show that he was arrested on a weapon possession charge but was not prosecuted.
It is unclear if Avalos has an attorney.
