LI man fatally shoots ex-wife and her boyfriend with teen daughter outside in car: police

ST. JAMES, N.Y. (1010 WINS) – A Long Island man fatally shot his ex-wife and her boyfriend at the victims’ home in Suffolk County on Wednesday night as his teen daughter was outside in a car, police said.

Daniel Coppola, 50, allegedly shot his ex-wife Kelly Coppola, 50, and her boyfriend, Kenneth Pohlman, 53, at their home on Brasswood Road in St. James, Suffolk County police said at a news conference.

According to police, Coppola picked up his 15-year-old daughter from the home and then committed the shooting before midnight as she was waiting in a car parked outside.

After the shooting, Coppola drove his daughter a few miles to his home on Harbor Road, where she called 911, saying her dad was threatening to kill himself and she was concerned something had happened to her mother, according to police.

Coppola was taken into custody at his home and was undergoing a mental health evaluation due to suicidal statements he made, Suffolk County Det. Kevin Beyrer said. He was charged with two counts of second-degree murder.

The daughter was placed in the custody of family members.

A motive for the shooting is still under investigation. Police said the couple had gone through a contentious divorce but that the only previous domestic call on record didn't lead to an arrest. Investigators don't believe the shooting involved any sort of custody dispute.

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