JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Friends and family of the woman who died Monday after she was shot and pushed out of a moving vehicle in a Southside Estates neighborhood are hoping her killer is found.
Victoria Braddock, 28, died Monday afternoon at UF Health Jacksonville shortly after she was found about 3 p.m. on Cortez Road at Brookview Drive South.
Police were originally called by people who thought it was a hit-and-run crash, possibly of a pedestrian. Once officers learned what had happened, homicide detectives were called to investigate.
Witnesses told detectives that they saw the woman get pushed out of a black SUV-type vehicle that was going north on Cortez Road.
"I've worked in an emergency room. I've seen a lot of bad stuff, but this was so different. It was really bad," one witness who didn't want to be identified told News4Jax.
"It was very gory," resident Clara Hannon said. "I feel sorry for her family."
Braddock's family and friends have posted on Facebook that she was a mother and they are heartbroken. There is a GoFundMe account set up for funeral expenses.
Hannon said she heard a loud thud, but didn't react until her grandson came to tell her that there was a woman lying in the street and people were around her trying to help.
"One of the ladies that I talked with said she looked like she was dead before she even hit the ground," Hannon said. "Every time I look out there, I can basically see her body still lying there."
News4Jax crime and safety analyst Gil Smith said it’s likely that whoever was driving the vehicle from which Braddock was thrown knows the area.
"They would like to go into a neighborhood where they can get in and out quickly," Smith said.
Some of the homes on Cortez have surveillance cameras, and JSO is attempting to contact the homeowners to review recordings that might show what happened.
Anyone with information about the homicide is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 904-630-0500 or email JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org. To remain anonymous and receive a possible reward of up to $3,000, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.
