CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – The Clay County Sheriff’s Office shared new details Thursday of the investigation into a baffling quadruple shooting on Monday morning inside a home that left two people dead, including the suspect.
According to the sheriff’s office, Mauricio Vasco Lopez, 45, fired multiple rounds inside a home on Pine Oaks Lane in Middleburg, where eight people lived. A 39-year-old woman was killed, and Vasco Lopez was fatally wounded in the encounter.
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A release from CCSO recounted what investigators learned about the strange events that led up to the deadly incident.
CCSO’s investigation found that Vasco Lopez and his wife left their home in Jacksonville after midnight and drove through Clay County for several hours.
At some point, the front tire of their car was damaged, and Vasco Lopez continued driving until the car stopped in front of the home on Pine Oaks Lane.
Deputies said Vasco Lopez then got out of the car and left his wife, who was “unaware of his intentions,” inside the disabled car in the road.
Vasco Lopez, armed with a handgun, walked through the fenced yard of the home and came across an 18-year-old man who was standing outside.
Deputies said he ordered the 18-year-old to go inside the home, and once inside, Vasco Lopez immediately shot a 21-year-old woman, and then shot and struck a 48-year-old man.
Another resident, 39-year-old Samantha Cicone, armed herself with a shotgun. However, deputies said Vasco Lopez shot her multiple times before she could fire a shot. She did not survive.
Moments later, a 16-year-old boy was able to grab the shotgun and fire two rounds at Vasco Lopez, critically injuring him, deputies said.
During the violent encounter, an 11-year-old girl was able to hide inside a bedroom, while the remaining family members escaped the home and asked a neighbor for help, according to the sheriff’s office.
When deputies arrived and walked inside the home, they found Cicone and the injured 21-year-old woman.
Cicone died at the scene, and the 21-year-old was taken to a hospital where she remained in critical condition as of Thursday morning.
Vasco Lopez was also found inside the home with at least one gunshot wound and was taken to a hospital, where he died.
The injured 48-year-old was able to run to a neighbor’s home. He was taken to a hospital where he was treated and released, deputies said.
Following the shooting, deputies executed a search warrant and found two additional firearms and body armor inside Vasco Lopez’s car.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office also conducted a separate search of the suspect’s home and found “numerous” firearms.
The sheriff’s office said investigative efforts have found no evidence that Vasco Lopez had any connection to the home, the victims, or the surviving family members.
The motive remains unknown. However, deputies said Vasco Lopez had experienced “several apparent mental health crises” recently.
News4JAX also learned that Vasco Lopez had been arrested in Jacksonville on Sept. 11 on charges of cocaine possession and trespassing. He was released from jail the following day.
The investigation remains ongoing.
“The Clay County Sheriff’s Office extends our deepest condolences and prayers to the victims, their families, and all those impacted by this senseless act of violence. We are grateful for the support of our community and commend the courage shown by those who acted to protect their loved ones during this tragedy,” deputies wrote.
If anyone has additional information about this incident, you are encouraged to call CCSO at 904-264-6512 or submit information via the Safer Watch App at https://getsaferwatch.com.