Elderly Port St. Lucie woman held hostage by man accused of killing 2 neighbors shares ordeal

PORT ST LUCIE Fla WSVN An elderly Port St Lucie woman is speaking out and sharing her story after her safe space was invaded by an armed intruder who ended up holding her hostage and she announced the suspect was no stranger Seeventy-seven-year-old Suzanne Rothermel explained she was held hostage in her home in the Tropical East society for what felt like hours on Monday I could be dead He could have just turned on me in a second she mentioned He in this scenario was -year old Paul Maraio according to Port St Lucie Police Rothermel stated the perpetrator was her neighbor He declared Quick close the door the garage door I thought something bad happened outside I detected out something really bad did happen she stated Just seconds later Maraio would barricade them both inside Rothermel s home for about an hour Rothermel stated the home invader narrated her he had been evicted and shot two of their neighbors I thought maybe an accident somewhere and I never guessed it was him shooting somebody until he explained me that he shot them she announced Rothermel watched as he ate her food and drank a beer as she began to lose all hope I just figured if he s going to kill me what can I do I can t run out cause he ll shoot me anyway she explained Instead she noted Maraio let her go and he let her dog Penny go too He could have shot me then but I just needed to get out so Penny and I cut out the door and he mentioned to them Don t shoot her ' stated Rothermel Agents then tried to get Maraio to surrender but they noted he turned the gun on himself He later died at the hospital Investigators were thankful it wasn t too late for Rothermel and her pet She was my saving grace Ever since my husband died and I got her that s my Penny she explained Rothermel is staying with her sister while she recovers