A fleeing mother, her father and a neighbor who tried to help: Victims of Tamarac killing spree

A guy in Tamarac who is accused of kidnapping his 4-year-old daughter and killing three others in the process is currently incarcerated, leaving behind heartbroken family members and accounts of futile attempts to bring about justice. According to Broward Sheriff’s Office officials on Monday, the suspect, 44-year-old Nathan Gingles, was taken into jail on three charges of first-degree murder with a handgun, breaching an injunction prohibiting contact with the kid or the child’s mother, and interfering with the care of a minor. According to authorities, he shot and killed his estranged wife’s father in Tamarac, followed by her and a guy who, according to her relatives, attempted to assist her.

He allegedly abducted his 4-year-old daughter, who was discovered unharmed following the issuance of a statewide Amber Alert in North Lauderdale. The victims of the shooting spree are being examined in greater detail by NBC6. They are Andrew Ferrin, Mary Gingles, and her father, David Ponzer.

David Ponzer

The first casualty of Sunday’s murderous rampage was Mary Gingles’ father, David Ponzer, 64. Deputies received a call regarding a shooting in the 9700 block of North Grand Duke Circle shortly after six in the morning. According to BSO officials, Ponzner was shot and killed on the back patio of a house located at 5897 North Plum Bay Parkway as the deputies searched the area. It’s unclear whether Ponzer was aware of his daughter’s abusive marriage or why he could have been shot.

Gingles, Mary

According to court documents, Mary Gingles, 34, and the suspect were married since December 26, 2018, and they have a daughter, age 4. According to court filings, Mary requested a divorce from Nathan Gingles after they separated in February of last year, citing her husband’s isolation, control, and terrorization of her and their kid as reasons. According to a 2024 divorce suit, Nathan Gingles physically mistreated both the mother and the daughter. At one point, it claims that their daughter saw him choke Mary and drag her up the stairs.

Mary claimed that after he stayed up all night snorting Adderall, he once “sang songs about killing” her while under the influence of drugs. Authorities have not yet confirmed the details, but according to an uncle of the third man killed, Mary had fled the house, knocking on doors and pleading for help before she died. Mary’s divorce lawyer, who claimed to have represented her in two separate domestic violence cases, called the shooting a “senseless tragedy.” One of Mary’s friends, Lupita, told NBC6: “It shouldn’t get to this point.

The system needs help.” On Sunday, after deputies discovered Ponzer shot dead, they searched for May until they discovered her body inside a house at 5888 North Plum Bay Parkway, across the street from where her father was found shot and killed, according to BSO. The system needs to be fixed. That’s where my frustration is coming in, because loved ones… look at all the lives that have been affected because of one person’s action.”

Andrew Ferrin

Andrew Ferrin, 36, was also found shot to death at 5888 North Plum Bay Parkway. Ferrin’s family members said Mary Gingles was trying to get help when Ferrin answered the door and was shot. “It’s unimaginable,” Ferrin’s uncle said. “A woman was in the neighborhood knocking on actual doors, and my nephew who was home happened to open the door for her.” It was unclear if Ferrin had ever met Mary or her father.