GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. — A local mom and grandmother was gunned down early Sunday morning and now her killer is on the loose
Since Ernestine Griner Hines was found dead, Action News has learned her daughter Dallas Cooke is a Jacksonville firefighter.
She said the suspect in this case, 25-year-old Victor Lamar Cruger Jr., knew the family well and they've had problems with him the past. Cooke said Cruger has also tried to hurt other members of her family.
The shooting happened just after 4 a.m. Sunday on Washington Lane and investigators say Hines was inside a car with Cruger Jr. and two others when he opened fire to the back of her head.
Cooke said she will remember her mother's smiling face.
"She was a beautiful soul; she was the backbone of our family," Cooke said.
Now all Cooke has are memories while the man accused of taking her mom's life remains on the run. The Green Cove Springs Police Department said Cruger Jr. shot and killed Hines.
Cooke said she knows Cruger and his family but never imagined he'd be capable of what police are accusing him of. Cooke said no one had a reason to hurt her mom.
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"She offered to give this man who asked her for a ride home, she gave him a ride home and lost her life for that," Cooke said.
Police won't reveal whether they have a motive right now. Officer Kimberly Robinson wants everyone to take a good look at his photo.
"The picture shows him wearing dreadlocks. We've received tips that he could've possibly cut his dreadlocks off so we need everyone to pay attention to the facial features," Robinson said.
As Cooke prepares to bury her mom, she wants everyone to remember the way Hines lived.
"She would've given you the clothes off of her back, she would've helped anyone," Cooke said.
Cruger has a lengthy criminal history that includes charges of cocaine possession, possession of drugs with intent to sell and grand theft auto. Police say they have been familiar with Cruger since he was a minor.
Cooke's firefighter family stepped up to make a public plea for justice.
"Please call the police, we need to get this guy back in jail. Dallas' mom didn't deserve this, no one deserves this," said family friend Tim Nguyen.
Police are offering a $3,000 reward for a tip that could lead to Cruger's arrest. Hines' family has set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for funeral expenses because Hines did not have any insurance coverage.
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