A tragic domestic violence incident in Hilliard, Florida, left three women dead and a young girl the sole survivor. The community is reeling, and investigations continue as a GoFundMe raises support for the family.
In a devastating incident of domestic violence, three family members were killed in their Florida home, leaving a five-year-old girl as the sole survivor of the horrific attack. The tragedy unfolded on the evening of July 24, 2025, in Hilliard, Florida, when 34-year-old Christopher Bobby Rowell shot and killed his wife, Marissa Leara Rowell, her sister Alisha Lael Fogarty, and their 71-year-old mother, Sandra Gayle Fogarty.
The Harrowing Scene and Brave Escape
Sheriff Bill Leeper described the scene as “tragic” and “heartbreaking,” with investigators determining that the young girl was in the back of the house when the shooting began. According to the sheriff, the child heard the gunshot and encountered one of the victims in the hallway. She was then pulled into the bathroom by another family member, where she was kept safe until she was able to run to a neighbor’s house for help.
The sheriff’s office arrived quickly, finding one victim lying in the living room, a second in the bathroom, and a third in the bedroom. Christopher Rowell was found nearby, with a faint pulse and an SKS-style rifle beside him. He was airlifted to the hospital but later died from his injuries.
A Devastating Loss and Long-Term Impact
The shooting has left the community of Hilliard in shock, and the grieving family has set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the cremation expenses for the three deceased women and provide long-term support for the young survivor. The campaign was organized by Dane Antkowiak on behalf of Steven Hallmark, the victims’ cousin.
Steven shared his grief with First Coast News, describing the shock of learning that Christopher was the shooter. “My aunt just bought a house, and they were in the process of moving. Marissa was going to be leaving him, taking the kid,” he explained. He also spoke about the ongoing pattern of abusive behavior from Christopher, including threats and alcohol-fueled violence.
The Struggle for Custody and the Impact on the Child
Currently, the five-year-old girl is in the custody of Christopher’s mother, and the family has not been allowed to have contact with her. Steven expressed his pain over this and remembered how much Marissa loved being a mother. “She was just so happy to be a mom. That’s all she ever wanted,” he said.
A Community in Mourning
As the investigation continues, local residents are struggling to come to terms with the tragedy. Neighbor Laurence Duster shared how the entire community has been affected by the incident, noting that this senseless act of violence has left a deep scar.
Sheriff Leeper emphasized the importance of seeking help in cases of domestic violence, urging people to reach out for support before situations escalate into tragedy. “Please go get help. Don’t just sit on it. Speak to someone. Get it out there because something like this happening is devastating,” Steven echoed, urging others to take action.
As authorities continue to piece together the final moments before the attack, the small town of Hilliard is left to mourn the loss of three cherished lives, rallying around the young survivor whose world was upended in an instant.
