UNION COUNTY, Fla. – An argument between a Lake Butler couple of 13 years turned fatal when the ex-boyfriend shot and killed his ex-girlfriend and her friend, according to the Union County Sheriff’s Office.
In an update to their investigation, the sheriff’s office on Wednesday identified the suspect and victims of a deadly incident that occurred Tuesday evening in Union County and extended into I-75 South, near Paynes Prairie.
The suspect, identified as 47-year-old Jason Eric Holton of Lake Butler, is accused of fatally shooting Candace Joseph, 43, of Lake Butler, and her friend, a 42-year-old woman from San Antonio whose name has not yet been released.
The agency also said that its investigation revealed that the incident stemmed from an argument that began between Holton and Joseph, who was reportedly in the process of moving out with the help of a friend with whom she had developed a relationship.
Deputies say Holton shot and killed Joseph and her friend at the scene while members of both of their families were present.
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According to the Union County Sheriff’s Office, deputies received calls of shots fired near S.W. County Road 241, which is near the Providence area, around 4:30 p.m.
Upon arrival at the scene, deputies found Joseph and her friend with apparent gunshot wounds. Deputies also learned that Holton had left the area and Union County in a 2020 black Ford F-150.
“On scene units made contact with [Holton] by telephone, while working on the scene, assisting victims and gathering witness information,” the sheriff’s office said.
The sheriff’s office added that a statewide notice was sent out when Holton fled the scene, which prompted multiple agencies, including the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Florida Highway Patrol, to join the investigation.
As the investigation unfolded, FHP troopers and officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission found Holton traveling southbound on I-75, near Alachua County.
Officials said law enforcement used a PIT maneuver to stop the vehicle and apprehend him.
When law enforcement tried to make contact with Holton, he was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, the sheriff’s office said.
“Our prayers are with all the families of those involved in this tragic incident affecting our community,” said Sheriff Brad Whitehead. “Thank you for the tremendous efforts of so many great law enforcement agencies that assisted us with this investigation.”