JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 45-year-old woman was shot and killed Wednesday evening in the Goodby’s Creek neighborhood, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
The woman was identified as Stacey McPherson-Dillon, who was a nurse at Wolfson Children’s Hospital. Her 21-year-old son, Michael McPherson, was arrested Thursday afternoon in connection with her murder.
Officers were called about 6:45 p.m. Wednesday to a shooting at a home on San Servera Drive South, near Baymeadows Road and San Jose Boulevard. When they arrived, according to JSO Sgt. Adam Blinn, police found a woman who had been shot at least once.
“I was sitting out back and I heard six shots,” neighbor David Parkinson said. “I knew it was a gun. It was right outside my window. When I came out, the police were here and the ambulance was here.”
Blinn said first responders tried to save the woman but she died at the scene.
“We knew the neighbor, tried to go in,” neighbor Jane Parkinson said. “Unfortunately, it was too late. We don’t really know any more than that but our hearts go out to all the family and everything.”
Woodie Burch, who lives nearby, said she also tried to help.
“I heard the gunshots and checked the neighborhood to see what was going on. I saw some activity and I ran over,” Burch said. “I called 911.”
Wolfson Children’s Hospital identified the woman as McPherson-Dillon, one of its nurses.
On Thursday, News4Jax found the JSO dive team parked at the house. Divers were searching the waterway behind the home, but investigators would not say what they were looking for or whether they found anything related to the case. Later in the day, a crime unit showed up, as well as what appeared to be family members.
An unnamed neighbor told News4Jax that the woman moved to Jacksonville from Key West. According to city records and other neighbors, a family moved into the home about two years ago after doing major renovations on the house. Neighbors said the woman lived there with her husband, as well as a son from a previous marriage who moved in several months ago.
“They made terrific improvements to the property they bought and basically have been rather diligent -- to me, model neighbors,” neighbor Paul Heck said.
Blinn said at a media briefing Wednesday night that three witnesses were being interviewed by detectives, but they were cooperating with the investigation and were not believed to be suspects.
Homicide detectives continue to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 904-630-0500 or email jsocrimetips@jaxsheriff.org. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS (8477).