Charity softball tournament raises money for Lancaster victims

Local softball tournament raises moeny for Lancaster murder victims

GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. – A charity softball tournament on Jacksonville's Westside is raising money for the families affected by the triple homicide from a couple of weeks ago in Green Cove Springs.

Friends of the victims, and many who didn't know them at all, took to the diamond to help. Their hope is this charity softball event can be one way to help the surviving relatives of Valarie Short and her father Buddy, as well as Murray Lancaster's ex-wife Erica Green.

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"Erica’s been a personal friend of mine. I’ve known her for a long time and it kind of hit home, a small community, everyone pulled together so we're just trying to help out," said Justin Anderson, organizer of the event.

The turnout has been huge all weekend long. Sunday, coed teams raised money for the children of the people killed. More than two dozen teams showed up on the Westside. It's estimated that they raised around $4,000.

"Everyone out here is pretty much a family, we all know each other and come together for events like this," said Mike Morris, a player in the tournament. 

The amount of people who attended is somewhat expected based on the sheer amount of people that attended two Clay County churches earlier this week as the three victims were laid to rest.

"This is awesome how many people came out to support them. I don’t’ think some of these people even know the families, and it’s for a good cause. It’s the least I could do," said Ali Stalvey

The murder investigation is ongoing, and authorities told News4Jax that they are still interviewing witnesses about what was going on with Murray Lancaster in the days and weeks leading up to his murder spree and suicide. 


About the Author:

Scott is a multi-Emmy Award Winning Anchor and Reporter, who also hosts the “Going Ringside With The Local Station” Podcast. Scott has been a journalist for 25 years, covering stories including six presidential elections, multiple space shuttle launches and dozens of high-profile murder trials.