In a shocking incident in Starke, Florida, a woman is accused of fatally shooting the father of her children while he was collecting them from a daycare center. The woman, identified as 34-year-old Mindy Osteen, allegedly used a 9 mm handgun to shoot Christopher Jones multiple times, uttering chilling words during the act, according to police reports.
The incident occurred at Auntie Lili’s Daycare, located approximately 45 miles southwest of Jacksonville. Jones was there to pick up his two children when Osteen allegedly attacked him. At the time of the shooting, there were at least six other children and two employees present in the daycare center.
According to the arrest report, Osteen allegedly made a statement after firing the shots, the details of which were unclear due to redactions in the affidavit. Jones reportedly responded, denying any intent to harm anyone.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that Jones was in the process of securing his children in his vehicle when Osteen approached him with a 9 mm Arex Delta pistol, concealed in a backpack. Security footage purportedly shows Osteen in close proximity before she began firing at Jones.
The arrest report details the sequence of events, stating that Jones was in the driver’s seat of his vehicle with the door open when Osteen approached him. She allegedly fired three shots, backed up slightly, and then fired two more shots. Jones’ screams could be heard in the footage.
Upon arrival at the scene, Bradford County Sheriff’s deputies were reportedly informed by a witness, identified as Smith, that Osteen was the shooter. Osteen allegedly admitted to the act, claiming it was in self-defense. The specifics of her self-defense claim have not been disclosed.
Jones was rushed to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Osteen is currently in custody, facing charges of first-degree murder, cruelty toward a child, weapon possession, and larceny. As of Monday, she was being held without bond.