Florida deputies on Saturday arrested a man they say shot friends of his ex-girlfriend as they tried to protect her. One of them was killed.
John Jacob Thornton reportedly showed up at a Clay County residence, looking for his ex. He was met by a 23-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman who told him to leave, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office said.
“After attempting to enter the residence, Thornton produced a shotgun and shot both victims,” the sheriff’s office said.
Deputies arrived at the home and found the man dead in the driveway with multiple gunshot wounds. The woman was inside the home with a gunshot wound. She was taken to a hospital for treatment by Clay County Fire Rescue.
The woman provided deputies with the name of the suspect, who fled the scene after shooting the victims. Deputies spread the word to other agencies, including aa description of the truck he was driving, and Bradford County Sheriff’s deputies soon spotted Thornton in the pickup truck. They stopped the truck and took him into custody.
Clay County deputies had already launched their investigation into the shooting when they were notified he’d been captured.
According to investigators, Thornton was estranged from his ex-girlfriend because of domestic violence. The man and woman who were shot occasionally let her stay at their house.
“I would like to extend my condolences to the families of the victims, and I hope the victim who is still hospitalized makes a fast and full recovery,” Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook said. “The victims were trying to help a friend and sadly became the target of the suspect. Domestic violence is a real issue and I encourage individuals who are victims of domestic violence or know someone who is to immediately contact the sheriff’s office at 904-264-6512. Reports of domestic violence can also be submitted anonymously through the SaferWatch App.”
Thornton has been charged with second degree murder and attempted second degree murder.
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[Featured image: John Jacob Thornton/Clay County Sheriff’s Office]
