MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — The death of a Berkeley County native living in Safety Harbor, Florida is being investigated as a murder.
The Pinellas County (FL) Sheriff’s Office said Jessica Antolini, 30, of Safety Harbor, died Thursday night after being shot Tuesday night during a domestic attack.
Investigators have charged her boyfriend, Christopher Smith, with murder.
Police said Smith entered a bar, came out with Jessica, and during an argument shot her, then fled in his vehicle, running over her as he drove away. In the vehicle at the time of the shooting were his daughter and a dog.
Antolini grew up in Berkeley County, a post from her mother, Suzanne, remembered Jessica as a beloved child, cherished sister, and treasured friend.
Martinsburg resident Raven Lamp, a friend of Jessica’s, posted a tribute to her friend online.
“Jess was more than beauty. She was insanely intelligent. She was charismatic. She was funny. She was kind. She deserved more. Society must stop letting abusers off the hook. The reality that anyone could feel entitled to take another human being’s life is horrifying. Jess’s story is more than a headline to circulate on social media.. it is a clear call to action showing how urgently our systems need to change. True justice requires holding all abusers accountable for their actions. Both men & women.”
Safety Harbor Mayor Joe Ayoub said in a statement that the tight-knit community is grieving “following a devastating act of domestic violence that occurred on Main Street.”
“It is with a profoundly heavy heart that I must share that our neighbor, Jessica Antolini, has passed away from the severe injuries she sustained during the attack,” Ayoub said in the Friday morning post. “On behalf of the City Commission and the entire City of Safety Harbor, I offer our deepest, most heartfelt condolences to Jessica’s family, friends, and everyone affected by this senseless tragedy.”
Ayoub credited the response of the sheriff’s office in making the arrest Tuesday night.
“Because of your quick actions and the rapid response of our deputies, the suspect was immediately apprehended and remains in custody facing upgraded charges of First-Degree Murder,” Ayoub said. “Please keep Jessica’s family in your hearts during this time of unimaginable grief.”
Reporter Jeff Jenkins contributed to this story.