A dispute over alleged activities at a home in House Springs, Missouri, led to the fatal shooting of a mother and one of her twin daughters, authorities said. The alleged shooter, a 73-year-old neighbor, then reportedly turned the weapon on himself.
Jessica Lashly, 38, and her 17-year-old daughter Jersey Greer were shot in the head outside their home on Saturday night. Both were taken to Mercy Hospital South in critical condition and died on Monday after being removed from life support.
Robert Winkelman, the 73-year-old neighbor, is accused of approaching Lashly's home and confronting her about activities he found objectionable. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office stated that after Lashly made a comment Winkelman disliked, he produced a weapon and fired.
Greer reportedly rushed to her mother's aid and was also shot. Police said Winkelman then chased a third, unnamed individual with the firearm, but that person was not injured. Winkelman subsequently attempted to take his own life outside his residence as deputies attempted to apprehend him.
Authorities have charged Winkelman with two counts of first-degree assault and two counts of armed criminal action. He remains hospitalized in critical condition.
While the specific activities that led to the dispute remain undisclosed, a neighbor told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that Winkelman had expressed disapproval of the way Lashly and her family maintained their property.
Greer's twin sister, Justice, was at work at the time of the attack. Their aunt, Sara Lashly, described the surviving twin as having lost "her whole world."
Lashly worked for her family's tree-cutting business and described herself on social media as a "proud mother of Justice Ann & Jersey Lynn." Both twins attended Northwest High School in Cedar Hill, where they were members of the women's lacrosse team.
A GoFundMe campaign has been initiated to assist Justice and her family with funeral and medical expenses. As of Tuesday, the campaign had raised over $37,000.
Family members have paid tribute to Lashly and Greer. Victor Greer, the twins' uncle, posted messages on social media condemning Winkelman's actions and mourning the loss of his sister and niece.
Lindsay Palmer, associated with the school's lacrosse program, expressed profound sadness over the loss, remembering Jersey Greer for her joy and ability to make others smile. The lacrosse team honored Greer by presenting her family with a lacrosse stick signed by her teammates.
