A Florida woman was fatally shot inside her apartment after her estranged husband allegedly forced his way into the home and opened fire while she was speaking on the phone with one of their sons, according to authorities. The suspect later died from what police said was a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a police pursuit.
According to the Daytona Beach Police Department, the incident occurred at approximately 6 p.m. on Monday at an apartment on Reena Drive in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Police identified the victim as 44-year-old Jacqueline Reyes and the suspect as her estranged husband, 54-year-old Robert Reyes Jr.
Son Heard the Shooting During Phone Call
Investigators said Jacqueline Reyes was on the phone with one of the couple’s three sons when Robert Reyes allegedly forced his way into the apartment.
According to police, the son heard the confrontation unfold in real time before immediately calling 911.
The son reportedly told the emergency dispatcher that he heard his mother pleading with his father to put the gun down before hearing a gunshot.
Officers responded to the apartment and found Jacqueline Reyes dead inside the residence.
Police Say Suspect Forced Entry Into Apartment
According to Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young, Robert Reyes allegedly broke through the apartment’s back door before confronting his estranged wife.
Investigators believe the shooting was motivated by jealousy after Reyes learned that Jacqueline had begun dating other people following their separation.
Chief Young said the suspect had been attempting to reconcile with his wife but became enraged after discovering she had moved on with her life.
Police described the shooting as an intentional killing.
Victim Had Moved to Escape Alleged Abuse
Authorities said Jacqueline Reyes had relocated to Daytona Beach about a year earlier in an effort to distance herself from her estranged husband.
However, police said the harassment allegedly continued even after the move.
According to Chief Young, Robert Reyes had previously broken into her apartment and poured bleach on some of her clothing during an earlier incident.
Investigators said the alleged abuse had been ongoing for some time before ending in Monday’s fatal shooting.
Suspect Fled Before Crashing During Pursuit
After the shooting, authorities said Robert Reyes fled the Daytona Beach area.
Approximately two hours later, traffic cameras located his vehicle about 50 miles away in Titusville, Florida.
Police attempted to stop the vehicle, but investigators said Reyes continued driving before crashing into a pond while trying to escape.
Officers later found him dead from what authorities determined was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Police Express Sympathy for Family
Chief Young said the tragedy has had a devastating impact on the couple’s family.
He noted that the couple’s three sons lost both of their parents within a span of approximately two hours.
Authorities continue to investigate the homicide and the events leading up to the fatal shooting, but police have stated that they believe jealousy over the victim’s new relationships was the primary motive behind the attack.
