SAN MATEO, Fla. – The Putnam County community continues to mourn the loss of a popular Little League coach and decorated veteran who served in Iraq.
Tom Wall told News4Jax his son, 34-year-old Thomas "Joe" Wall, was killed Sunday night at a home on Landmark Avenue just off State Road 17 in the San Mateo area.
Deputies with the Putnam County Sheriff's Office said they're investigating Sunday night's deadly shooting as a homicide until they find evidence to the contrary. But the still have confirmed little else about the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Nearly two days later, a makeshift memorial of flowers and a balloon could be seen outside the home where Joe Wall was shot and killed. Crime scene tape still surrounded the home.
Dawna Watkins said she's known Joe Wall's wife for about 18 years. Her daughter, Alyssa Hall, who went to school with Joe Wall's son, left the flowers outside the home.
"When I found out, I wanted to cry," Hall said. "It's all I could think about. That's all I've done for the past two days."
People came to the area near the home in tears Monday as they learned what happened to the South Putnam Little League coach (pictured back row, far right).
Desiree Myers' two sons played for Joe Wall's team. She said he will be deeply missed.
"My first instinct was I was in shock," Myers said. "And then I just went numb and I cried. I still can't wrap my head around it just quite yet."
Ryan Myers, 10, and his brother said Joe Wall was more than a coach -- they called him their baseball dad.
"That was his first and his last coach," Myers said, adding that the team is dedicating the season to Joe Wall. "He's one of the best coaches out there, and he'll always be remembered, that's for sure."
Margaret West said Joe Wall's family came to her house Sunday night and his two children -- a 12-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter -- were there. He also leaves behind a wife.
"They were pretty upset and crying," West said. "I just hope they can carry on."
Tom Wall said his son's two children are staying with other family members now.
A neighbor told News4Jax she heard two shots Sunday night but she didn't think much of it because children shoot BB guns in the area regularly.
Residents said Monday that the neighborhood is typically quiet and they're concerned about what could happen in the future.
"It was scary, and I really don't want to see it happening again," said Charity Maynard.
Watkins said not knowing what happened is making her nervous.
"Them not releasing anything. We don't know what's going on," Watkins said. "It's made me a little scared because my daughter wanted to go spend the night at her friend's house, which is right down the road, and I just didn't feel comfortable with her not being home with me."
Deputies said the investigation is active and ongoing.