A local community is rallying to support the victims of a devastating home invasion left two people dead — including the gunman — and others seriously wounded.
At the heart of the tragedy was 39-year-old Samantha Cicone, remembered by her family as “the baby sister with the purest soul, a calming voice of reason, and someone who loved deeply and selflessly.”
Cicone was killed on the morning of September 15 while trying to protect her loved ones from a gunman who broke into their Clay County home and opened fire.
In the aftermath, neighbors, friends, and strangers have contributed to a GoFundMe set up to support the family as they face the trauma and financial strain left in the wake of the shooting.
“Our beloved sister, Samantha, lost her life that morning while trying to protect our family, and others were critically injured,” her family wrote. “Samantha was the heart of our family… Though she didn’t have biological children, she was a mother figure to her 11 nieces and nephews and to the son she called her own.”
“She gave so much love to all of us, and now we are left with a void that can never be filled.”
According to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect — 45-year-old Mauricio Vasco Lopez of Jacksonville — had no known connection to the family.
Investigators say he had been driving with his wife through Clay County for hours when their car had a flat and became disabled in front of the home.
Armed with a gun, Lopez forced his way into the house around 6:30 a.m., began shooting multiple people, and was eventually killed when a 16-year-old boy inside the home retrieved a shotgun and fired back.
Cicone armed herself with a shotgun during the chaos but was struck before she could defend herself, police said.
Authorities praised the teen’s courage, saying his actions likely prevented further loss of life.
An 11-year-old girl hid in a bedroom during the violence, while other family members fled to a neighbor’s home for help.
A 21-year-old woman who was shot in the home remains hospitalized in critical condition, while another adult victim has been released.
The GoFundMe notes that as the family is simultaneously grappling with immense grief and sudden financial distress.
“This GoFundMe has been created to help ease the weight of everyday needs such as food, gas, and transportation, along with providing support for family members who have taken time away from work to help care for us and stay by our side,” it read.
Authorities say Lopez had recently experienced multiple apparent mental health crises, and his wife — who remained in the car — was unaware of his murderous intentions.
“Your donations — no matter the size — will help us focus on what matters most: healing, supporting one another, and honoring Samantha’s memory. And if you are not able to give financially, your prayers, messages, and the simple act of sharing this page mean more than words can ever express,” the family wrote.
