YULEE, Fla. – The clerk at a Nassau County produce stand died after she was shot Friday night in what investigators first reported as an armed robbery, but they have since arrested the victim's stepson and charged him with murder.
Deputies said the owner of the Down Home Market on state Road 200 in Yulee discovered her employee, Paulette Waters, 59, lying on the floor of the business at about 7:30 p.m. Investigators said an unknown amount of cash was taken from the cash register.
Recommended Videos
Waters was transported to Shands-Jacksonville Medical Center with a gunshot wound to the head, where she died.
On Sunday, Nassau County deputies arrested Timothy Waters, 46, on charges of murder and armed robbery. Sheriff's officials said he is the victim's stepson.
"Our detectives actually made contact with him over in Duval County. He did come back to Nassau County to talk to our officers, and he was placed under arrest after he was back in our county," said Undersheriff Carl Woodle of the Nassau County Sheriff's Office.
Waters is being held without bond in the Nassau County Jail.
Family members and employees at the produce stand said they were overcome by grief.
"I just don't understand why somebody would take her from me," said the victim's daughter Sandy Whittmore. "I just want answers."
"She was good person. She was an honest, true and happy person. You could tell she loved life," said co-worker Lisa Cambell.
Family members said they do not believe Timothy Waters acted alone in their loved one's slaying and they are offering a $5,000 reward for anyone with new information about what happened on Friday.
"I know and I feel in my heart that somebody on this main road here saw something," said Paulette Waters' son-in-law Charles Wainwright.
Paulette Waters lived in Callahan. There's no word on other survivors or funeral arrangements.
Channel 4's Emily Pantelides said officials have not released any information about a motive in the killing, but their investigation is continuing.
Anyone with any information about the crime is asked to contact the Nassau County Sheriff's Office at 904-225-5174.