JSO: Children called 911 after mother was shot by boyfriend

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Two children were home and called 911 when their mother's live-in boyfriend shot their mom Wednesday at a house on the Westside, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

Police said Jeremy Murkey, 37 was arrested and charged with the murder of 34-year-old Shonda Smith. According to investigators, Murkey drove her to an emergency room on 103rd Street after shooting her.

A homicide detective said an off-duty police officer working at the Park West ER on 103rd Street, near Jammes Road, saw two people drive up in a red SUV about 3:30 a.m. Wednesday.

A woman in the SUV, who was later identified by police as Smith, had a gunshot wound and died from her injuries, police said.

Murkey was detailed before he could leave the hospital.

Police said Murkey admitted shooting Smith in the throat, adding, "You can go ahead and put me in jail."

He was booked into the Duval County jail Wednesday afternoon.

Where it happened

The shooting took place on Diamond Leaf Drive, off Ricker Road. Officers and crime-scene investigators were processing both that scene and the hospital.

"As the investigation progresses, there may be other victims that may not be the victims of the shooting, but may be victims of other crimes," Sgt. Chuck Ford said at the time.

A neighbor said his girlfriend woke him to say there was police tape around the house across the street. Lamont Rhett said a woman lived there with her boyfriend and her children, but had never seen any sign of trouble or violence.

Rhett said he saw and spoke to Murkey the night before the shooting.

"I can tell you now it was probably (was) about his relationship," Rhett said. "If I could've helped in any case to keep it from happening  prevent that, I would have. I didn't. Nobody saw it coming."