Fleming Island murder-suicide: Ashtin Durham shoots and kills girlfriend, Jessica Valentin-Rivera then self in domestic related incident. No known motive. Florida authorities continue to investigate.
A man is alleged to have shot and killed his girlfriend then self over the weekend at their Fleming Island apartment in a ‘domestic related’ incident, Florida authorities said.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) said deputies were contacted Saturday by a family member of the 34-year-old man, saying they were concerned by a message they got from him.
Deputies responded to his apartment on County Road 220 in Fleming Island for a welfare check. Upon entering the home after trying to contact him, they found two people dead inside from gunshot wounds, FirstCoastNews reported.
Firearm and shell casings collected at Fleming Island apartment
Both deceased individuals were identified as Ashtin Durham, 34 and his girlfriend, Jessica Valentin-Rivera, 36.
Investigators stated Durham shooting and killing Valentin-Rivera before turning the murder-weapon on himself.
A firearm and shell casings were found in the apartment and collected as evidence, investigators said. The Sheriff’s Office said preliminary findings indicate the incident may be a domestic-related murder-suicide, but emphasized the investigation is ongoing.
Deputies said both Durham and Valentin-Rivera had children, but none together. The children were not in the home at the time of the shooting and are safe with relatives, according to investigators.
Domestic violence at home
Stated Brittany Moss on Facebook in part, ‘Jessica, my heart is completely shattered. The last words I said to you were “please be safe… call me if you need anything.” You made it home, and I thought you were okay. I checked your location and saw you got there, but you didn’t answer my calls… and I had no idea evil was already at your door, about to take you from all of us, your babies, your family, your friends.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Clay County Sheriff’s Office at 904-264-6512 or First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.
