JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Police have confirmed they are investigating the deaths of a young family killed in Woodland Acres as a triple murder.
Sources tell Action News Jax Arielle Trotter, 11 months, died of smoke inhalation.
#ANjaxBREAKING: India Ave investigation is being worked as a TRIPLE MURDER. @ActionNewsJax https://t.co/Q4hdMU8OSB
— Russell Colburn (@RussellANjax) December 14, 2017
They say her parents, Ariyan Johnson and Quasean Trotter, were shot and killed inside the home on India Avenue.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office on Thursday night officially identified baby Arielle, Johnson and Trotter as the victims in the triple homicide.
Thursday, Action News Jax spoke exclusively with a man who didn’t want to be identified, but said he heard gunshots Tuesday night.
Source: Ariyan Johnson and Quasean Trotter died from GUNSHOT wounds. Little Arielle- only 11 months old- died of smoke inhalation. #ANjaxBREAKING https://t.co/Q4hdMTRe13 @ActionNewsJax
— Russell Colburn (@RussellANjax) December 14, 2017
“It was about 6:30-7 o’clock, and I heard four rounds, four gunshots,” the man said. “[They were] really loud.”
Action News Jax asked the man if it’s possible the shots were from something else.
ONLY on @ActionNewsJax at noon: Images from behind the home where this family was found dead. You can see a back window is SHATTERED. There’s broken glass & charred belongings on the ground. Neighbor gave us permission to shoot from their yard. JSO initially said no forced entry. pic.twitter.com/wQKv9Ch3UC
— Russell Colburn (@RussellANjax) December 14, 2017
“No,” he replied. “I heard it. It had to be this.”
Detectives and crime scene technicians were back at the home Thursday and seemed to focus on the backyard.
JUST IN: Neighbor says he heard 4 loud, distinct gunshots shortly before police responded to the home on India Ave. https://t.co/Q4hdMTRe13 @ActionNewsJax
— Russell Colburn (@RussellANjax) December 14, 2017
That’s also where Action News Jax cameras captured a broken window with shattered glass and burned belongings on the ground.
Johnson’s grandmother, Katrina Peterson, spoke for the first time with tears streaming down her face.
“I miss my granddaughter so much, and I love her,” Peterson said.
Cox Media Group
