On Sunday, September 25, 2011, ten days after being arraigned on two counts of misdemeanor battery/domestic violence against his wife and his wife’s Mother, Marcus Nathaniel Trotman shot his wife, her mother and himself in what police are calling a murder-suicide.
Prior to the incident, Trotman had been working as an audio engineer with popular South Florida Power 96 radio personality Lazaro Mendez (A.K.A. “D.J. Laz”). Shockingly, Sunrise police confirmed that the gun recovered from the scene-a Walther PPK .380 caliber handgun-was the same make and model as one reported missing by Mendez the evening of the shooting. However, police have yet to confirm whether the gun used by Trotman actually belonged to Mendez.
Mendez’ publicist issued a statement to the media saying he was “deeply shocked and saddened” by the shooting. According to police reports, Trotman and Mendez were friends. In fact, Trotman had been living with Mendez since Sunrise police arrested Trotman for battery on August 21, 2011 and a judge ordered him to stay away from his Wife and her Mother.
The murder-suicide leaves Lorenzo’s 5 year-old-daughter, who was present during the shootings, and her 13 year-old-brother in state custody until a suitable home can be found.
On Tuesday, September 27, 2011, Broward Family Court Judge Susan Greenhawt held a custody hearing for the girl and an older brother, whose whereabouts were not discussed. At the hearing, child custody divorce attorneys in Fort Lauderdale dealt with matters pertaining to child custody. The girl has been staying with a baby sitter, with the Department of Children & Families monitoring as custody issues are resolved. A man claiming to be the girl’s biological father was in court Tuesday and agreed to a DNA test to verify paternity.