A 34-year-old Florida woman, Mindy Osteen, is facing serious charges after allegedly gunning down the father of her children, Christopher Jones, during a violent shooting outside a day care center in Starke, Florida on Friday evening.
The shooting took place at Auntie Lili’s Daycare, where Jones had arrived to pick up their two children. Osteen allegedly approached him with a 9 mm handgun hidden in a backpack and fired multiple times, while making chilling statements like, “You got to die,” and “Please, let the monster die,” according to the arrest report.
A Deadly Confrontation in Front of Children and Staff
At the time of the attack, six other children and two staff members were inside the day care. The shocking event unfolded as Jones was loading his children into the back seat of his vehicle. Surveillance footage reportedly shows Osteen lurking nearby before moving in and opening fire.
The report describes Jones sitting in the driver’s seat with the door open when Osteen fired three shots, stepped back, then returned to fire two more rounds at close range. Witnesses said Jones was screaming in pain during the attack.
According to the police affidavit, Osteen was heard saying:
“Chris, you can’t kill [redacted],”
to which Jones replied,
“I’m not killing nobody.”
The redacted portion of the quote likely refers to one of their children, though exact details were removed from the report.
Shooter Claimed ‘Self-Defense’
After the shooting, Osteen reportedly did not flee the scene. When deputies arrived, she identified herself and told officers:
“I’m right here y’all. I done it in self-defense.”
No further explanation has been provided for the self-defense claim, and police have not confirmed any history of violence or prior conflict between the two.
Jones was rushed to a local hospital but died from his injuries.
Charges Filed Against Osteen
Osteen has been charged with first-degree murder, cruelty toward a child, possession of a weapon, and larceny. She remains in custody without bond as of Monday.
Community in Shock
The shooting has left the small northern Florida town of Starke, located about 45 miles southwest of Jacksonville, in shock. A violent event like this — especially in front of children and day care staff — has raised deep concern among residents and officials.
Police have not yet shared a clear motive, and further details may be released as the investigation continues.
