Florida – In a shocking act of violence during a routine custody exchange in Florida, a 28-year-old woman, identified as Gabriella N., has been charged with attempted murder after shooting her own father in the back while he was in the middle of exchanging custody of his four young children with his ex-wife.
On the morning of June 1, 2025, just after 9:00 a.m., Rogerio N. arrived at the sheriff’s administration building for a scheduled custody exchange. He was accompanied by his sister, while his ex-wife arrived in a separate vehicle with their four minor children and a friend. The custody exchange was taking place in the parking lot of the sheriff’s office, a location often used for such meetings to help ensure safety. As Rogerio, his sister, and his ex-wife stood outside their vehicles talking, three of the four children reportedly hesitated to exit the vehicle. According to detectives, this was the moment when Gabriella, Rogerio’s adult daughter from another relationship, arrived at the scene separately.
Shortly after stepping out of her car, Gabriella approached the group and, without warning, pulled out a semi-automatic handgun. She then shot her father in the back at close range, police said. Startled and wounded, Rogerio attempted to flee toward the front entrance of the sheriff’s administration building in search of help. As he ran, Gabriella chased him on foot and fired a second shot, which missed. Rogerio was able to make it to the building’s lobby, where he called out for assistance. Deputies and staff rushed to his aid as he collapsed from his injuries. Meanwhile, Gabriella reportedly fell on the sidewalk during the pursuit, placed the firearm on the ground, and remained standing near the scene until deputies took her into custody without further incident.
Rogerio was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors listed him in critical but stable condition. Fortunately, no other family members, including the children, were physically harmed during the incident. Gabriella was arrested at the scene and formally charged with attempted first-degree murder. She was booked into the county jail and is currently awaiting her court appearance, scheduled for Monday.
Investigators have not yet disclosed a motive behind the shooting. As of now, it remains unclear what led Gabriella to carry out the violent attack against her own father. Authorities have confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, and they are reviewing evidence and witness statements to understand more about the events leading up to the shooting. This tragic episode has left many questions unanswered, particularly around Gabriella’s sudden appearance at the custody exchange and what role, if any, she believed she was playing in the situation. The fact that the shooting occurred outside a law enforcement facility only underscores the shocking nature of the attack. The sheriff’s office has not released any details about previous family disputes or whether Gabriella had any history of violence. As the case moves through the legal system, more information may come to light.
The incident has deeply impacted a family already dealing with the stress of custody issues. Now, the children who witnessed the traumatic event must also process the violence inflicted by a sibling upon their father. Authorities have not shared details about who has custody of the children following the shooting, but child services may become involved in their care moving forward. For now, Gabriella remains in jail on serious felony charges, and Rogerio continues to recover from his injuries. The community and the authorities are left grappling with a deeply unsettling act of familial violence that unfolded in a place meant to offer safety.
