Double homicide in Mobile

Derica Williams
Charissa Cowart
Photojournalist, Kevin Sullivan

MOBILE, Ala. - A cleaning crew tackled the crime scene at Janet Penn's home on Eagle Drive. Just hours before, police said they found Penn and her boyfriend Demetrius Powe shot.

Officer Christopher Levy told FOX10 News, "We know she had multiple gun shot wounds to her torso and he appeared to have at least one gun shot wound possibly to the head."

The suspect is Penn's estranged husband Derrick Penn. Police said Janet, Penn's 19-year-old daughter, was also inside the home at the time of the shootings. Police said she ran outside for help. She flagged down police and they called for back up.

"Set up a perimeter around the residence. Derrick Penn actually exited the rear of the residence and they took him into custody," said Levy.

Demetrius Powe was pronounced dead on the scene. Janet Penn was taken to USA Medical Center, where she died. Neighbor Jaracia Williams said, "It's heartbreaking. That's the heartbreaking part that her daughter has to remember that about her mother."

Jeffrey Hickbottom added, "I just hope they get to the bottom of it and find out what's the real situation and what really happened."

In the past, police said there were reported incidents of domestic violence between the Penns. In 2004 Derrick Penn was actually arrested for domestic violence.

"He's got several arrests ranging from assault and menacing to harassment. He does have a pretty good criminal arrest history, most of which happened to be violent crimes," Levy said. Neighbors said it's just sad.

Williams added, "Totally not the way to handle it. Use words, not guns." Derrick Penn faces two counts of murder.