ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — Local neighbors and firefighters are searching for answers after what deputies call a “murder-suicide.”
Shawn and Andrea Yarbrough were found dead in their home Thursday night. The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office said Andrea was killed by her husband, St. Johns County Fire Rescue Lieutenant Shawn Yarbrough, who then turned the gun on himself.
Now, four children are without parents this Father’s Day weekend.
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The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office said the shootings happened Thursday night in the Entrada Subdivision off County Road 207 near Wildwood Drive.
Neighbors said they were shocked. Many told Action News Jax the couple was just seen earlier in the week out in the neighborhood.
Several neighbors declined an on-camera interview, but they said both Shawn and Andrea Yarbrough were active in the community.
“She was on the HOA board here and did a lot for the neighborhood. Us neighbors are struggling to find our peace, and we are just so sad. We really need each other right now.”
While it is unclear what led to the shooting, Andrea Yarbrough reposted a message on Facebook from the Fire Rescue on May 1st- the department detailed the number of calls fire rescue has made so far this year. She then commented, “This is why all of our significant others are exhausted and never functioning 100% at home.”
Action News Jax first reported in 2022, that there were two suicides in fire rescue that year, which led to emergency funding to approve $500,000 in mental health assistance for the department.
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St. John’s Fire Chief Sean McGee released a statement on Saturday that reads in part:
“The recently reported events were unexpected, shocking, and tragic for all those affected. As a department, we are profoundly saddened by the loss of life.. recognizing its enduring impact on the families and children of those affected.”
This neighbor said she is blindsided and hopes the family’s children will be taken care of.
“It’s one of those things we’re thinking could maybe have been avoided. We’re all angry going through the cycle of grief right now,” she said.
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Fire rescue is currently making peer and professional counseling available to the department.
Additionally, The St. Johns County Sheriff’s office said this was an isolated incident.
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