On November 4, 2022, 4-year-old Janice Serrano was shot and killed while sleeping in her maternal aunt Asha Baker's bed in Orlando, Florida. Shavell Jones, 23, the aunt's paramour, opened fire after an argument in which the aunt was breaking up with him. Jones shot and killed Janice, both maternal aunts (Asha Baker, 29, and Shantay Nesmith, 28), and the maternal grandmother (Gail Baker, 49). He also shot the children's mother, Sharice Nesmith, who survived and escaped through a hurricane-damaged fence to a neighbor's home where 911 was called. Jones then turned the gun on himself but survived and was arrested and charged with first degree murder, four counts of second degree murder, and attempted first degree murder. The child died from a gunshot wound of the head at intermediate range. Two other children in the home, ages 4 and 6, hid during the shooting and were unharmed.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
The fatality report explicitly states the cause of death was "Gunshot Wound of Head." It describes how Shavell Jones used a firearm to shoot multiple victims. The autopsy notes the wound was "Intermediate range" with "Perforation of skull and brain." Jones was charged with "First Degree Murder with a Firearm" and other firearm-related counts.
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The fatality report states the cause of death was "Gunshot Wound of Head" with "Perforation of skull and brain" and "Subarachnoid hemorrhage." The child was shot by Shavell Jones. The news article confirms Jones "began shooting" at people in the home.
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
The fatality report states law enforcement responded to "an apparent murder/attempted suicide." It describes how Jones shot multiple victims and then "shot himself." The news article confirms Jones "was found alive with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head." This constitutes a murder-suicide attempt.
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
The fatality report identifies Shavell Jones as "Alleged Perpetrator/Maternal Aunt Asha's Paramour." He was a male paramour (boyfriend) of the maternal aunt living in the household who committed the shootings. The fatality report lists verified findings with "Shavell Jones as the caregiver responsible."
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
The fatality report states: "On November 4, 2022, Shavell Jones was arrested and charged with one count of First Degree Murder with a Firearm, four counts of Second Degree Murder with a Firearm, and one count of Attempted First Degree Murder with a Firearm."
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The fatality report describes an argument between the maternal aunt and her paramour (Jones), noting that "she was breaking up with him" and "they heard her and her paramour arguing." Jones then proceeded to shoot multiple household members. The verified findings include "Household Violence Threatens Child" with Shavell Jones as the caregiver responsible.
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
The news article states: "Mina said Jones has no criminal history other than failure to appear on a misdemeanor years ago." This failure to appear on a misdemeanor predates and is separate from the current fatal incident.
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The fatality report states that the maternal aunts and maternal grandmother "had been drinking" after returning from a club on November 4, 2022. The report also notes that the mother "tested positive for Oxycodone" but was prescribed it for the gunshot wound. Alcohol consumption by caregivers in the household is affirmatively referenced.
Notable Details
Several notable details emerge from the sources. The fatality report describes this as a mass murder event where the perpetrator killed three adult family members (two maternal aunts and the maternal grandmother) in addition to the 4-year-old child. The news article confirms the scene was "designated a mass murder which means their names are protected by law." The fatality report also notes that the family's escape was facilitated by "a tear in the fence that was damaged by the hurricane," referring to a recent hurricane. The news article states that two other children in the home (ages 4 and 6) "hid when they heard gunshots and were unharmed." Additionally, the perpetrator's first relationship and the dynamics surrounding it were noted: "This was the aunt's paramour's first relationship. He had not exhibited any jealous behaviors before, the aunt gives him a lot of attention, and he was used to all of the attention being on him."
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