Ocoee police commend man for assisting in apprehending suspect in attack and murder of woman

OCOEE, Fla. – The Ocoee police department commended a man for his assistance in apprehending a man suspected of assaulting and fatally injuring a woman outside a Planet Fitness establishment last year.

Officers were called around 7:30 a.m. on March 1, 2024, to a disturbance in the parking lot of the gym at 10908 W. Colonial Drive.

The victim, Jessica L. Steigelman from Winter Garden, was discovered unconscious and severely harmed on the ground as bystanders subdued the alleged attacker, identified as Shannon W. King, a 55-year-old resident of Orlando.

Police said King was held at the scene by Darren Fink and another good Samaritan before officers arrived.

Steigelman was taken to a hospital, where she died, police said.

On Tuesday, Ocoee police honored Fink with the Chief’s Special Award for his actions in helping detain the suspect.

According to the Ocoee police, “Mr. Fink intervened by removing the assailant from the victim and detaining him until law enforcement arrived, while another individual administered critical medical aid.”

King was booked on a charge of first-degree murder with a weapon.