'Ninja Killer' Executed For 1998 Murders Of Florida Couple He Robbed for Their Lamps, Videocassette Recorders

A man known in Florida as the “ninja killer” recently was executed by lethal injection.

Louis Gaskin, 56, was convicted of two murders in 1999, 10 years after shooting a couple in the Flagler County home where they lived part-time.

Documents reviewed by WLRN-FM show Gaskin parked his car in a wooded area and shot Robert Sturmfels twice through a window. His wife, Georgette Sturmfels, was shot as she tried to leave.

Authorities say hours after killing the Sturmfels and stealing items ranging from lamps to videocassette recorders, Gaskin tried to kill another couple.

Joseph Rector was shot, but recovered at a hospital.

UPI reported Gaskin received the “ninja killer” nickname because he wore black clothes during his crimes.

State corrections records show Gaskin also was found guilty of murder in 1986, but received a life sentence in that case.

While Gaskin appealed his two death sentences for decades, the final process leading to his execution moved relatively quickly.

Governor Ron DeSantis signed his death warrant Monday, March 13. A last-ditch appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court was rejected April 11.

, Gaskin's last words included: “Justice is not about the crime ... It's not about the criminal. It's about the law."

Gaskin is the second Florida inmate to be executed in less than 60 days. Another execution is scheduled for May 3.

More executions may be coming. The Florida Legislature is considering rules changes in the wake of Parkland high school gunman Nikolas Cruz receiving a life sentence last year.

Florida has executed over 100 inmates since the death penalty was restored in 1976.