In the wake of a tragic shooting in St. Johns County, Florida, Melissa Wood has been named as one of the two individuals who lost their lives near TPC Sawgrass on Friday. The community is coming together to honor her memory with a vigil at Mickler’s Landing, a poignant reminder of the lives affected by this senseless act of violence.
Melissa Wood leaves behind a grieving family, including two children, and had recently celebrated becoming a grandmother just over a year ago. Her brother, Jeremy Hackward, shared these personal details through a GoFundMe campaign aimed at supporting the family during this difficult time.
The incident, described by St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick as stemming from a “domestic violence issue,” has led to the arrest of 32-year-old Christian Barrios. On Saturday, authorities identified Barrios as the suspect involved in this heartbreaking case.
Details outlined in Barrios’ arrest warrant reveal that he allegedly went to a Walgreens located at 860 A1A North with the intent to confront Wood and another individual, whom he believed to be involved in a relationship with her. The confrontation arose from accusations of infidelity.
Upon arrival, Barrios reportedly “immediately and frantically” exited his vehicle and approached another car, at which point gunfire erupted, resulting in the tragic loss of life.
The warrant states that once there, Barrios “immediately and frantically” exited a vehicle and walked over to another vehicle before gunshots rang out.
Following the shooting, Wood and the other victim were taken to Baptist Beaches Medical Center, where they died, according to the warrant.
Meanwhile, Hardwick said Barrios headed north, crossing Palm Valley Road, and onto the property of TPC Sawgrass.
Hardwick said deputies believed Barrios had “multiple contacts with people that were just simply inside the tour area,” where The Players Championship was being played.
The sheriff said that several units then “saturated” the area, and later learned that a dark-colored BMW had been stolen.
Once the vehicle’s tag was “hot-listed,” Hardwick said deputies in Nassau County spotted the vehicle near Callahan, as Barrios was later taken into custody early Saturday morning.
According to his warrant, Barrios faces charges of first-degree murder (two counts), shooting into an occupied conveyance, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, burglary to an occupied dwelling and grand theft of a motor vehicle over $20,000 and less than $100,000.
Hackward, in the GoFundMe campaign, calls Barrios an “insecure, jealous ex-boyfriend.”
Wood’s estranged husband, Jeff Wood, told First Coast News a vigil is being held for Melissa on Friday, March 20. He said the community is invited to attend, saying “the community needs closure from this.”
The vigil will be held at Mickler’s Landing at 6 p.m.
