What to Know
- Broward Sheriff's Office officials say Dr. Rafael Azulay shot and killed his father, Asher Azulay, before turning the gun on himself
- The 43-year-old doctor was taken to Memorial Regional Hospital in critical condition. His father was pronounced dead at the scene
- Asher Azulay worked at a Kosher grocery store in North Miami Beach for eight years
Friends of a South Florida man who was allegedly shot to death by his own son in what authorities say was a murder-suicide attempt say they're shocked at the turn of events, as officials released new details on the incident.
Broward Sheriff's Office officials say Dr. Rafael Azulay shot and killed his father, 67-year-old Asher Azulay, before turning the gun on himself in a Weston home Saturday morning.
According to an arrest warrant, Rafael Azulay said he was going to kill his father and another family member then kill himself at the home on Islewood Avenue. When he shot his father in the neck, the other family member fled the home and called 911, the warrant said.
Deputies went to the home and heard a gunshot as they approached, and a SWAT team responded to the home, the warrant said. When SWAT members tried to enter the home they saw Rafael Azulay shoot himself in the abdomen, the warrant said.
The 43-year-old doctor was taken to Memorial Regional Hospital in critical condition. His father was pronounced dead at the scene.
Asher Azulay worked at a Kosher grocery store in North Miami Beach for eight years. On Monday, the store set up a memorial for the man, who friends said was well-liked.
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"We're all very heartbroken, it was devastating to everyone in the community. We couldn't wrap our head around what happened, they were all taken aback," said Penina Spalter, the daughter of the market's owner.
"I don't understand that son kill father, I don't understand. I can't work, I'm leaving right now because I can't work," co-worker Magdalena Conrey said. "He was so good person, so good person, he was an amazing person, I don't believe."
Rafael Azulay is an internal medicine doctor and has worked at several South Florida hospitals. Court records show he has a violent criminal history, with three domestic violence arrests in the past few years.
"Based on what Asher used to say they had a close relationship and he was the pride of his life. He really loved him so much, they had a great relationship, it was very shocking to everybody," Spalter said.
"If you met this guy you would fall in love with him that's how sweet he was. Always a smile on his face, always willing to help, just a really great guy, he didn't deserve this," customer Margaret Paritzky said.
