A tragic incident unfolded outside a Jacksonville day care in the Ribault area, where a 35-year-old woman was fatally shot yesterday afternoon. Authorities were called to the 3400 block of Winton Drive at approximately 12:30 p.m., according to a statement released by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (JSO). The victim, believed to be affiliated with the 5K Little Dreamerz Academy day care, suffered a single gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead after being transported to the hospital by Jacksonville Fire and Rescue.
The incident occurred when an individual was reportedly removing items from a truck, including a firearm, which then discharged and struck the woman, as stated by First Coast News. The JSO confirmed that there were no signs of an argument or confrontation leading up to the shooting. The person who handled the weapon remained on the scene and cooperated with law enforcement, and has been detained for police questioning.
While the unfolding investigation continues to take shape, law enforcement believes that the individual involved was in a "long-term domestic relationship" with the victim, a detail provided by First Coast News. While there is no reported threat to the community, the proximity of the day care to Ribault High School and Sallye B. Mathis Elementary led to a temporary lockdown of both schools. Officials from Duval County Public Schools informed parents with a message explaining the necessity of the lockdown for the safety of students and staff, and later that normal activities would resume.
Authorities are working closely with the State Attorney’s Office to determine if charges will be filed against the individual responsible for the firearm's discharge. The day care facility, schools, and the broader community face the aftermath of the shooting as investigations by JSO and partners at the Medical Examiner's Office are ongoing. The district has not yet released detailed plans on how they will address the ripple effects of the incident on the community. Meanwhile, JSO has not provided further details on the nature of the domestic relationship between the victim and the person of interest, as reported by News4Jax.
