Woman arrested in New Year's Day murder of young mother at Jacksonville BP

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A suspect in the killing of a young Jacksonville mother was ordered held without bond Saturday.

Twenty two year-old Tairrah McGriff made her first court appearance following her arrest for the killing of Sahara Barkley, 24, who was shot on New Year's Day during a carjacking at the BP station on Stockton Street in Riverside.

Witnesses said Barkley was shot when she came out of the store and confronted a man and woman stealing her 2017 silver Impala.

Police have not said whether the second suspect has been identified or arrested.

Barkley, the mother of a 1-year-old, was taken to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said late Friday night that McGriff was arrested for Barkley's murder.

JSO said McGriff was identified by a tip after surveillance video from the BP was released. A warrant was issued for McGriff on Wednesday and she turned herself in on Friday night.

JSO said McGriff and Barkley got into an altercation and McGriff shot Barkley. Police do not believe that the two women knew each other.

Barkley's mother, Rosie Brooks White, told Action News Jax she was relieved to hear of the arrest.

"I'm glad that justice will be served for my baby," White said.

The family has set up a GoFundMe account and White said that the money will be used for the funeral and what's left will be used to take care of Barkley's son.

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Cox Media Group