The suspect lived less than a mile from the victim in this tight-knit community in northwest St. Johns County, and the pair was captured on surveillance video from the subdivision's recreation center at around 1:15 Sunday morning, which is what, according to Hardwick, makes the situation so difficult.
"This is one of those cases — I hate to use the words, but — it's our worst nightmare," Hardwick said in an interview with The Record Friday morning. "These kids both went to school together. ... It's going to be a long process to heal for our community."
The community has been trying to support the Bailey family in any way they can, Hardwick said, including a candlelight vigil on Monday evening that drew thousands.