A jealous ex‑boyfriend, 32‑year‑old Christian Barrios, has been arrested in Florida after opening fire in a Walgreens parking lot, killing 46‑year‑old Melissa Wood and 42‑year‑old Jason Chatham on the night of March 13, 2026, in Ponte Vedra Beach.
What happened at the scene
The shooting occurred around 10:30 p.m. at a Walgreens on A1A and Palm Valley Road in Ponte Vedra Beach, a coastal suburb of Jacksonville. Multiple 911 calls reported shots fired; both victims were rushed to nearby hospitals but later died.
Barrios allegedly rode with his mother to the location where he believed Wood was with another man, then jumped from the car, drew a firearm, and began firing when he saw her car. His mother heard gunfire and called 911; investigators say the shooting stemmed from Barrios’ jealousy over a perceived romantic betrayal.
Charges and arrest
Barrios is charged with two counts of first‑degree murder, burglary of an occupied dwelling, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, shooting into a conveyance, and grand theft of a motor vehicle. After fleeing the scene, he stole a BMW, crashed it in Nassau County, and was captured on foot in the woods following a K‑9 track across a PGA‑owned golf course.
St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick called Barrios a “known criminal” and criticized his return to violent crime while on probation, emphasizing that the tragedy was rooted in a domestic‑violence‑style dispute.
Victims’ families and impact
Melissa Wood’s family say any relationship with Barrios had ended, and describe the attack as driven by his insecurity and jealousy. Her brother and daughter remember her as a generous, selfless mother and grandmother who helped anyone in need, and have launched a GoFundMe to cover funeral costs and unpaid bills.
Jason Chatham, a friend and neighbor, is remembered by relatives as a fun‑loving, adventurous presence; his niece said he was “dancing in the sky” and vowed to keep his memory alive.
