A 5-year-old girl managed to escape a brutal scene in a Florida home last Thursday night, where authorities say a man fatally shot three women before turning the gun on himself.
The shooting occurred around 8 p.m. on July 24 at a residence on West 12th Avenue in Hilliard, Nassau County. Sheriff Bill Leeper described the incident as “tragic” and “heartbreaking,” calling the violence “completely unnecessary.”
Deputies arrived at the home after receiving reports of gunfire but initially received no response when they tried to make contact. Upon entering through an unlocked front door, officers discovered a gruesome scene: one woman was found lying in a pool of blood between the living and dining rooms, and another man was found nearby with an assault-style rifle beside him.
Two more women were later discovered dead — one in a hallway bathroom and another in a nearby bedroom. The male suspect, identified as 34-year-old Christopher Bobby Rowell, initially showed signs of life and was airlifted to a hospital. Sheriff Leeper later confirmed Rowell was declared clinically dead. The firearm recovered at the scene was identified as a black SKS-style 7.62 caliber assault rifle.
The victims were identified as Marissa Leara Rowell, 32; Sandra Gayle Fogarty, 71; and Alisha Lael Fogarty, 33. Sheriff Leeper confirmed that all individuals involved were related, though he declined to detail the specific relationships at this time.
According to authorities, the 5-year-old girl was inside the home during the attack. She told investigators that one of the women had pulled her into the bathroom to protect her. After the woman was shot, the child ended up covered in blood splatter and fled the home, running to a neighbor’s house for help.
“A neighbor across the street reported that a 5-year-old female came to their house, banging on the door, saying the suspect had killed others inside the home,” Leeper said. The neighbor then called 911.
“She was in the back of the house, heard a gunshot, came down the hallway, and saw a woman lying on the floor,” Leeper continued. “Another female grabbed her and put her in the bathroom before being shot.”
Leeper said the child was “in shock, naturally,” but praised her bravery: “She’s a very strong little girl. Very brave. Beautiful girl. She’s with other relatives now and is safe, but clearly traumatized.”
The shooting appears to have been a domestic-related incident, according to Leeper, and the investigation remains ongoing.
“As a grandfather of two young children, my heart aches for this child,” Leeper said in an emotional press conference. “Violence like this — especially in front of a child — is beyond comprehension.”
