PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — A Florida man on probation allegedly shot and killed his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend outside a Walgreens pharmacy after his mother drove him to the location where he suspected the woman would be with another man, authorities said.
Christian Barrios, 32, faces two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of 46-year-old Melissa Wood and 42-year-old Jason Chatham, both residents of Atlantic Beach. The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office also charged Barrios with burglary of an occupied dwelling, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, shooting into a conveyance, and grand theft of a motor vehicle. The shooting occurred around 10:30 p.m. on March 13 at the Walgreens on Palm Valley Road along the A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway in Ponte Vedra Beach.
Sheriff Rob Hardwick described the incident as a domestic violence situation fueled by romantic jealousy during a press conference. “He is out of prison again on probation, committing another violent felony,” Hardwick said. “Here we are dumping all these resources and families are gonna mourn two people that were shot and killed in a parking lot of Walgreens over a domestic violence situation.” Deputies responded to multiple 911 calls about shots fired at the pharmacy corner location. Both victims were transported to nearby hospitals where they were pronounced dead.
Court documents reveal that Barrios asked his mother to drive him to the location where he believed his girlfriend would be found with another man, according to an arrest warrant obtained by Jacksonville television station WJXT. The defendant’s mother told deputies that her son rode in the back of her car and “frantically jumped out” when he saw Wood’s car in the parking lot. She then heard a flurry of gunfire and immediately called 911. Investigators believe Barrios targeted Wood over perceived infidelity, though the victim’s family maintained that any romantic relationship between the two had already ended.
The defendant fled the scene but was quickly tracked by K-9 units onto a golf course owned by the PGA Tour in the area. Barrios was arrested the next day in Nassau County after stealing a BMW, crashing the vehicle, and fleeing on foot from a deputy into nearby woods, according to the sheriff’s office. Hardwick characterized Barrios as a known criminal with a history of violent offenses who had recently been released from prison on probation. The sheriff expressed frustration over the repeated cycle of crime and incarceration.
Wood’s brother, Jeremy Hackward, established a GoFundMe page seeking donations for funeral arrangements and outstanding bills. “My amazing and one and only sister, Melissa, was gunned down and shot to death by an insecure, jealous ex-boyfriend,” Hackward wrote. He described Wood as “an amazing, outgoing, generous, and compassionate person” who “never judged anyone and would help a stranger even if she wasn’t in a place to do so herself.” Wood had recently become a grandmother and left behind two children, according to her brother’s account.
Wood’s daughter disputed claims that her mother had been unfaithful, telling Jacksonville radio station WOKV that she believed her mother was trying to help Barrios with something. “She had a lot of love to give,” the daughter said. “And she always knew what to do and what to say, even when she didn’t know. And she had two beautiful kids, and she did a really good job raising us.” The daughter, who recently had a baby, expressed her desire to raise her child the way her mother had raised her.
Chatham was remembered by his niece, Aliya Jade, in a social media post reported by WJXT. “I wish we could share another late night adventure walking the streets of Jax Beach with no clue in the world where we are going or what we are doing,” Jade wrote. “I love you forever, and I hope you’re dancing in the sky having the best family reunion there is. I will make sure your light never goes dull here on earth while you’re giving heaven the best party ever.” The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office continues investigating the case as Barrios remains in custody awaiting trial.
