JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Two women were arrested on charges resulting from separate house parties where police said there was underage drinking and drug use, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office announced Wednesday.
Police said in both cases at least a hundred people attended the house parties — many of them minors — and they each ended with at least one person shot and killed.
Police are still searching for the suspects involved in the house party shootings. Both of the houses where the parties took place are now vacant with "For Rent" signs in front of them.
Sheontra Lewis, 41, was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and allowing alcohol and drugs in connection with the first party that took place March 30 on Kline Road. Police say a man who lived in a neighboring house was shot and killed that night when he went out to move his car.
The second party occurred April 19 on Coachman Lakes Drive, where one person was shot and killed and another was also shot. Holly Lynn Bowers, 35, was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and allowing alcohol and drugs in an open house party.
The parties were not related in any way other than how they ended, and that both women hosting the parties had their own minor children in attendance.
At a news conference Wednesday, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office asked for anyone who attended the parties to come forward with cell phone video or information that could help them identify the gunmen.
"These kids were there; they saw what happened," JSO director Tom Hackney said. "This is the social media age. We're wondering if these murders may have been caught on camera. They may indeed have been, so we're asking for anybody who has heard about this or an attendee to give us a call. You can remain anonymous."
Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at 866-845-TIPS.
The family the man shot and killed on Kline Road. hopes the recent developments in the case lead to the arrest of the shooters.
"There's so many people over there that know what happened and so many rumors that I know deep in my heart we're gonna' find out who did it," said Annie Minarik, the widow of shooting victim Dustin Minarik. "Someone's eventually gonna' crack."
Minarik has since moved her family to North Carolina.
Police also wanted parents to know that the authorities will not tolerate house parties that are held by parents in this fashion.