Family mourns after shooting leaves three women dead in Hilliard
Share this @internewscast.com

A domestic violence shooting in Hilliard left three women dead, including the shooter’s wife, sister-in-law, and mother-in-law.

HILLIARD, Fla. — A grieving family member is speaking out after a tragic domestic violence shooting in Hilliard left three women dead.

The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office reports that 34-year-old Christopher Rowell shot and killed three women in a Hilliard home on the night of July 24 before turning the gun on himself. Rowell was discovered with a faint pulse and later passed away at the hospital.

The victims’ cousin, Steven Hallmark, informed First Coast News on Friday that the three women were Rowell’s wife Marissa Rowell, her sister Alisha Fogarty, and their mother Sandra Fogarty.

Hallmark said he’s still struggling to process the violence—and what the family lost.

“He took the lives of three beautiful women,” Hallmark said. “This selfish act that he has done…he did not deserve them.”

Hallmark said he first learned about the shooting Thursday night, but it wasn’t until Friday morning that he realized who the shooter was.

“I was at work listening to the radio and I heard the shooter’s name and as soon as I heard his name my heart just skipped, I knew instantly,” Hallmark said.

Hallmark told First Coast News that the victims were preparing to leave. He stated that Marissa intended to leave her husband and take her daughter with her. Their belongings were already packed in a U-Haul.

“My aunt just bought a house and they were in the process of moving, Marissa was going to be leaving him, taking the kid,” said Hallmark.

Steven said the shooter, Marissa’s husband, had a pattern of troubling behavior.

“[He] wouldn’t be involved with the child,” Hallmark said. “He’d obviously be going out drinking with his friends, come home at midnight, two, three in the morning, always yelling and threatening…cussing at Marissa, trying to kick her out of the house.”

The only survivor inside the home was Marissa’s five-year-old daughter. According to deputies, she managed to escape the house after the shooting and ran to a neighbor’s home, where 911 was called.

Hallmark told First Coast News the shooter’s mother now has custody of the girl, and that his family has not been allowed contact.

“My aunt Sandy, she gave up her whole life up in Tennessee to move down here to take care of them, and the baby, she’s always wanted a grandkid,” said Hallmark. “Marissa was just so happy to be a mom. She was so happy. That’s all. She’s always wanted a baby.” 

Hallmark said the tragedy highlights the importance of speaking up about domestic violence.

“Go get help, don’t just sit on it,” Hallmark said. “Don’t keep it in. Go speak to someone and get it out there because something like this happening is devastating.”

A GoFundMe has been launched by the victims’ family to help cover cremation and memorial costs.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Trump saves American lives with ‘overwhelming force’ against drug smugglers encroaching on US beaches: expert

Expert Says Trump Protects American Lives by Forcefully Combating Drug Smugglers on US Beaches

As President Donald Trump ramps up efforts to combat drug trafficking groups,…
Ukraine's defenses may collapse under escalating Russian attacks

Ukraine’s Defense Struggles Amid Intensifying Russian Assaults

Ukraine is facing the possibility of running low on air defense weapons…
Containers falling off a cargo ship in California

Watch: Shocking Footage of Shipping Containers Falling from Cargo Ship in California

A dramatic video captures the incident where almost 70 shipping containers tumbled…
Charlotte mayor slammed over comments after woman stabbed to death on train

Criticism mounts against Charlotte mayor following remarks post train stabbing incident

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, a Democrat, is under fire for her response…
ICE agents break car window to arrest resisting illegal immigrant in exclusive Fox News ride-along

ICE Agents Smash Vehicle Window to Detain Defiant Undocumented Immigrant During Fox News Exclusive Ride-Along

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago…
DOJ charges man accused of killing refugee on North Carolina train with federal crime

Federal Charges Filed Against Suspect in Killing of Refugee on North Carolina Train

The Justice Department on Tuesday indicted a man with an extensive criminal…
Blue city police blasted for ‘embarrassing’ tips to robbery victims as crime spikes, veteran officer says

Veteran Officer Criticizes Blue City Police for Ineffective Tips to Robbery Victims Amid Crime Surge

Following a surge in violent robberies in Chicago during August, law enforcement…
San Jose, California robbery: 88-year-old man assaulted during brazen smash-and-grab jewelry heist, police say | Video

Brazen Smash-and-Grab Jewelry Heist in San Jose: 88-Year-Old Victim Assaulted, Police Report | Video

SAN JOSE, Calif. — An 88-year-old jewelry store owner was assaulted in…
Police: Ocala 9-year-old arrested for bringing loaded gun onto school bus

Police Report: 9-Year-Old in Ocala Arrested for Carrying Loaded Gun on School Bus

The police report that the 9-year-old is charged with several offenses, including…
California man accused in dating app murders wore eerie white mask in past burglary spree, police reveal

California man charged with dating app killings previously wore creepy white mask during burglary spree, police disclose

A man from California, who reportedly used a mask to impersonate a…
D1 college football player booted after allegedly stealing duffel with Rolex, cash and luxury gear from boat

Division 1 College Football Player Dismissed for Allegedly Stealing Duffel Bag Containing Rolex, Cash, and Luxury Items from Boat

A player from the North Dakota State University football team has been…
DOJ hits train stabbing suspect with federal charge as FBI investigates on-camera attack

Federal Charge Filed Against Train Stabbing Suspect as FBI Proceeds with Investigation

The Department of Justice revealed on Tuesday that Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr.…