A violent home invasion in Clay County, Florida, resulted in two deaths, including the suspect's. In the early morning hours of Monday, a suspect later identified as 45-year-old Mauricio Vasco Lopez left his Jacksonville residence with his wife, eventually stopping outside a home in Clay County due to a disabled vehicle, according to a report from the Clay County Sheriff's Office shared on social media.
The incident, which escalated to a quadruple shooting, began when Lopez encountered James Magruder outside the home and forced him inside at gunpoint. Inside the residence, Lopez shot a 21-year-old woman and fired at 48-year-old Vincent Cicone Jr., striking him. Samantha Cicone, a 39-year-old resident armed herself but was shot multiple times by the intruder before she could retaliate. According to the Sheriff's Office, two juveniles were present during the invasion, a 16-year-old boy, who managed to shoot Lopez with a shotgun, and an 11-year-old girl, who hid in a bedroom.
The Sheriff's Office reported that Samantha Cicone was pronounced dead at the scene, while the 21-year-old woman remains in critical condition. Lopez was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Initial reports indicated no prior connection between Lopez and the residents, and his motive remains unclear. Following the invasion, a search warrant led to the recovery of additional firearms and body armor from Lopez's vehicle and numerous firearms from his home. The suspect's recent mental health crises were noted, though their relevance to the crime is undetermined.
Amidst the chaos, other family members, including Vincent Cicone, Jr., Linda Peeples, Ashlyn Peeples, and James Magruder, sought refuge at a neighbor's house. Cicone, Jr. was also shot but has since been released from the hospital, the Sheriff’s Office confirmed. "The motive remains unknown, however, the suspect had several apparent mental health crises recently," the statement read, pointing to a potential factor in the incident. The case is still under active investigation while the community grapples with the impact of this violent episode.
The Clay County Sheriff's Office extended "our deepest condolences and prayers to the victims, their families, and all those impacted by this senseless act of violence." They commended the bravery of those involved, who acted to protect themselves and their loved ones.
