A man from Florida was arrested after police said he shot and killed his girlfriend early Sunday morning. The shooting happened in a storage unit in Jensen Beach, where the couple had been living.
Javier Saenz, 43, is charged with second-degree murder for the death of Tonya Sidebottom.
Tonya Sidebottom, 55, was found with a gunshot wound to her chest at her sewing business around 12:30 a.m., according to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office. She was taken to the hospital but later died.
Sheriff John Budensiek said the couple seemed to be homeless and had been living inside a storage shed on the same property as the business. Saenz called 911 that morning asking for help.
During the 911 call, Saenz kept asking the dispatcher to send help quickly. In the background, dispatchers heard a woman screaming “gunshot, gunshot.” Although the woman didn’t say Saenz shot her, it was clear she was in serious distress.
Tonya was still awake when emergency workers arrived and was able to talk to them before she was taken to the hospital. She said that Saenz waited at least 10 minutes before calling 911.
While Tonya did not say who shot her, Saenz accidentally admitted it during the call. When the dispatcher asked where the woman was shot, Saenz answered, “in the chest.”
Saenz has a criminal record. Last year, the police in Port St. Lucie issued a temporary order against him and took several guns away, including the one used in this shooting.
Friends described Tonya as a caring person who helped others. She had recently started a new business making custom furniture for yachts and was trying to improve her life. She also supported homeless women.
Police are still trying to find out why the shooting happened. Saenz is being held at Martin County Jail.
