Gainesville leaders are grappling with the back-to-back-to-back killings of three women in Alachua County that law enforcement officials have determined are domestic-violence related.
The past 30 days have already surpassed last year s numbers in domestic violence-related homicides, according to local agencies. Since Nov. 6, three women in the county have been strangled or shot to death and their significant others all charged in the crimes.
“Tragic is the only word for it,” said Gainesville City Commissioner Harvey Ward. “And I would love to (say) specifically what the city or law enforcement could do to turn things around but intimate partner violence is with us all the time.”
This month, two families living in our community were tragically changed by Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). Gainesville was devastated by the murder of baby Gideon and his mother Shelby Mathis, and Waldo is suffering the loss of Annette Miller.
It seems unthinkable, but the least safe place for women and children in America is their home. On average, more than three women a day are murdered by their husband or boyfriend across the U.S.
In 2009, Alachua County embarked on a coordinated community response unique to Florida to prevent IPV homicides. Between 2000-2005, we had 12 murders by abusive partners, one of the highest per capita rates in the state. Through the work of Peaceful Paths, local law enforcement, court services, victim advocates, the state attorney and the Department of Children and Families, we reduced that rate by 50% between 2015-2019.
To her friends, Shelby Mathis was the type of mom who didn’t do much without her children at her side.
Gainesville residents, in less than a week after Mathis death, have begun efforts to pay tribute to the 26-year-old mother of three, who was fatally shot with her infant son at their home Friday afternoon.
At P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School’s softball field Thursday, a balloon release is scheduled at 6:45 p.m. for Mathis, a 2013 alumnus and former softball player.
“Shelby was a good person,” said Devlin Rahynes, 25, a former classmate. “So when I heard the news, the memories just flowed back in regards to Shelby being one of those people who, on game day, when she saw someone didn’t have lunch, she’d share hers.”