A Florida woman allegedly shot her own father in the back outside a sheriff’s office on Sunday, blasting him in front of his younger children while negotiating child custody with his estranged wife, according to police.
Gabriella Nascimento, 28, is charged with attempted first-degree murder after allegedly attempting to shoot her father, Rogerio Nascimento, outside the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Administration Building, where he and his wife were meeting to exchange custody of their four minor children, according to the sheriff’s office.
“During the exchange, Rogerio, his sister, and his estranged wife were standing outside their vehicles in the parking lot, conversing,” PCSO officials stated in a press release. “Detectives say three of the four children were reportedly hesitant to exit the vehicle.”
Rogerio Nascimento arrived at the administration building around 9:04 a.m. and met with his wife, according to police.
Gabriella Nascimento arrived after the children became hesitant to leave their estranged wife’s vehicle, according to the sheriff’s office. Rogerio and his wife were talking to his sister when the shooting occurred.
“The suspect, 28-year-old Gabriella Nascimento, arrived separately, exited her vehicle, and joined the conversation in the parking lot,” according to PCSO officials. “Gabriella approached Rogerio with a semi-automatic firearm shortly after her arrival and shot him in the back.
Rogerio ran toward the front lobby of the Sheriff’s Administration Building, and Gabriella pursued him on foot, shooting at him again but missing.”
According to police, Rogerio Nascimento attempted to flee into the front lobby and ask for help, while Gabriella allegedly “fell on the sidewalk, placed the firearm on the ground, and stood” near the parking lot until deputies apprehended her.
Rogerio was taken to a nearby hospital in critical but stable condition after being shot twice.
Gabriella was being held at the Pinellas County Jail and was scheduled to appear in court on Monday. Police have not released a motive for the shooting.
