Ellis Gaines Lee II, a 24-year-old former Virginia Military Institute student, faces a first-degree premeditated murder charge in the bludgeoning death of his 64-year-old father, David Ellis Lee, at the family’s Palm Beach Gardens home on August 15, 2025. He is being held without bond. The Ellis Lee murder charge follows a violent early-morning fight inside the PGA National residence and comes roughly nine months after a separate incident that had prompted a court-ordered firearms restriction against him.1CBS12. Son Accused of Killing Father at PGA National Home
What Happened Inside the Home
Shortly before 1:00 a.m. on August 15, Ellis Lee called 911 from 20 Glencairn Road in the Burwick neighborhood of PGA National and told dispatchers he believed his father was not breathing after a “disturbance” inside the house.1CBS12. Son Accused of Killing Father at PGA National Home Palm Beach Gardens officers arrived at 1:01 a.m. and found him standing in the driveway. Inside, David Lee was face down near the front door with major head trauma.2KATV. Man Faces Murder After Violent Fight With Father in PGA National Home
According to the arrest report, the fight moved through several rooms, starting in a back living room and ending near the front entrance. Officers documented overturned furniture, broken plates, a shattered glass lamp with a blood-covered base, and a tack hammer whose wooden handle had snapped, found beneath the victim’s legs. A bloody, smudged handprint on the lower half of the front door suggested David Lee may have tried to crawl out.2KATV. Man Faces Murder After Violent Fight With Father in PGA National Home Investigators spent more than ten hours processing the scene.3WPBF. Palm Beach Gardens Father’s Murder
Ellis Lee surrendered through the garage at 1:15 a.m. Police noted he had showered before calling 911 and had no visible injuries or defensive wounds.2KATV. Man Faces Murder After Violent Fight With Father in PGA National Home
What Ellis Lee Told Dispatchers
The arrest report quotes him telling 911: “We had a fight, and things got out of hand. He knocked my glasses off my face, and I kept going.” He also said, “I don’t know what his condition is, I don’t know.”2KATV. Man Faces Murder After Violent Fight With Father in PGA National Home He acknowledged the altercation involved multiple rooms and multiple weapons but declined to identify the weapons to dispatchers.4WJAR. Man Faces Murder After Violent Fight With Father in PGA National Home
The 2024 Gun Incident and Red Flag Order
In November 2024, Palm Beach Gardens police responded to a call at the same home where Ellis Lee allegedly pointed a gun at his father. A family member told officers at the time they did not believe he meant harm.3WPBF. Palm Beach Gardens Father’s Murder Police then petitioned for a risk protection order under Florida’s red flag law. Circuit Judge Donald Hafele granted the order on November 20, 2024, for one year, citing allegations that Lee “recently engaged in threats of violence” and had “a history of mental health concerns.”5Yahoo News. Palm Beach Gardens Man Charged With First-Degree Murder Available reporting does not indicate whether criminal charges were filed over the 2024 gun incident.
Mental Health History
WPBF reported that documents in the case indicated Ellis Lee had a history of mental health issues including bipolar disorder and Asperger’s, along with a documented history of “psychotic episodes.” Family members believed he was not taking his prescribed medication.3WPBF. Palm Beach Gardens Father’s Murder
Who Ellis Lee Is
Ellis Gaines Lee II attended the Virginia Military Institute and is listed as a member of the Class of 2023. He majored in economics and business and completed VMI’s “Rat Line” initiation but left before graduating.6The Cadet. Former VMI Cadet Accused of Killing Father in Florida At the time of his arrest he was 24 and living at the family home in Palm Beach Gardens.
Who David Lee Was
David Ellis Lee, born February 2, 1961, was a longtime technology consultant who spent nearly 23 years as technology director at TechCaliber Consulting. He was a Northwestern University graduate and served as the Burwick neighborhood’s homeowners association president. His wife, Janine Francolini, founded the Flawless Foundation, a youth mental health advocacy nonprofit based in Palm Beach Gardens.7Dignity Memorial. David Lee Obituary1CBS12. Son Accused of Killing Father at PGA National Home
Current Status of the Case
Ellis Lee is charged with one count of first-degree premeditated murder under Florida Statute § 782.04(1)(a)1.6The Cadet. Former VMI Cadet Accused of Killing Father in Florida He has been held without bond since his arrest at the scene on August 15, 2025. No additional charges have been publicly reported, the investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not released an official motive.1CBS12. Son Accused of Killing Father at PGA National Home