Deputies from the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office apprehended the suspect near Callahan following allegations that he stole a BMW after committing the murders.
In JACKSONVILLE, Fla., authorities have detained a man suspected of shooting two individuals fatally in the parking lot of a Walgreens close to TPC Sawgrass on Friday evening, as per official reports.
At approximately 10:30 p.m. on Friday, St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick reported that the office received numerous emergency calls about gunfire at the Walgreens situated at 860 A1A North.
Upon reaching the scene, deputies discovered two people suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Sheriff Hardwick stated that the victims were rushed to a nearby hospital, where they succumbed to their injuries.
Following the incident, Sheriff Hardwick mentioned that the suspect’s mother contacted the sheriff’s office, identifying the suspect as 32-year-old Christian Barrios.
The sheriff explained that after the shootings, Barrios fled north, crossing over Palm Valley Road and entering the TPC Sawgrass premises.
Hardwick said K-9 units then responded to the property, along with the sheriff’s office drone and air units, as deputies “saturated” the area. He added that the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Jacksonville Beach Police Department and St. Augustine Police Department provided mutual aid.
Hardwick said deputies believed Barrios had “multiple contacts with people that were just simply inside the tour area,” where The Players Championship is currently being played.
He said that as the night unfolded, the sheriff’s office received a report of an auto burglary where a dark-colored BMW was stolen. According to Hardwick, the sheriff’s office “hot-listed” the vehicle’s tag, meaning the tag would come up as wanted in a crime if ran by law enforcement.
Nassau County deputies later spotted the vehicle in the northwest part of Nassau County, Hardwick told First Coast News. Deputies reportedly performed a successful PIT maneuver, causing the BMW to crash into a wooded area. The suspect then fled, Hardwick said.
The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office announced Saturday morning that they were searching for a homicide suspect in connection to the shooting near Callahan. Residents were asked to stay inside and lock their doors. In an update at 8 a.m. Saturday, the sheriff’s office said the suspect has been captured and is now in custody.
“This thug’s criminal history is embarrassing, embarrassing,” Hardwick said. “We’re tracking around 27 arrests, and two more victims tonight. He’s not from St. Johns County, our victims aren’t from St. Johns County. This thug isn’t from St. Johns County… He is out of prison again, on probation, committing another violent felony. And here we are dumping all these resources, and families are gonna mourn two people who were shot and killed in a parking lot over a domestic violence issue. It’s embarrassing, it makes me sick to my stomach.”
Hardwick said the suspect’s mother was “very, very cooperative” with the investigation.
The shooting prompted The Players Championship to delay opening gates as a precaution before the third round Saturday morning. The PGA cited “operational considerations” in deciding not to open the gates until 9 a.m.
Fans attending The Players Championship Saturday morning said they were relieved after learning the suspect had been caught.
“I am glad that the suspect has been caught and you know once again, that fast reaction time from the police department and them working across departments has really helped out,” said Daniel Neuman.
“I thought the police presence was because of the tournament going on this weekend, but I think it’s wild that it happened so close,” Kaitlyn Belz added.
First Coast News is working to learn what charges Barrios faces.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
