Florida Father Accused of Murdering Girlfriend in Front of Daughter
A man faces murder charges after allegedly shooting his girlfriend in Safety Harbor, Florida, an incident witnessed by his young daughter.
A man has been accused of fatally shooting his girlfriend in the Florida town of Safety Harbor, an incident that occurred in front of his five-year-old daughter. The shooting marks the first homicide in the town in nearly a decade.
Christopher Dodge Smith, 40, allegedly fired at Jessica Antolini, 30, on October 13. According to a police affidavit, the child, Finley Mae, screamed "Daddy shot Jess" after the gunfire. Smith has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and child abuse.
The incident occurred outside the Harbor Bar in Safety Harbor, a town located on the northwestern shore of Old Tampa Bay in Pinellas County. Safety Harbor, with a population of approximately 17,000, is known for its oak-canopied streets and waterfront parks, and violent crime is rare.
The affidavit states that Smith fired at Antolini at close range. Antolini was pronounced dead at the scene. Finley Mae, who reportedly has been battling stage three brain cancer, was present during the shooting.
Smith has been charged with first-degree murder and child abuse. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is awaiting trial.