Florida – In a shocking case in Florida, a 39-year-old woman, identified as A. Janzen, will spend the rest of her life in prison after pleading guilty to the shooting death of her ex-boyfriend’s 31-year-old girlfriend, identified as A. Terril, during a custody exchange in a parking lot on Christmas Day 2023
Janzen faced multiple charges stemming from the violent encounter, including second-degree murder for killing Terrill and several other counts related to the shooting. Prosecutors argued that Janzen’s actions were deliberate and rooted in anger and jealousy after losing partial custody of her child just days earlier. The judge agreed with the prosecution’s assessment of the case and ultimately sentenced Janzen to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Additionally, Janzen was barred from having contact with her children unless a therapist determines it is appropriate and a court grants approval.
At the sentencing hearing, Janzen expressed regret, saying through a letter read aloud by her attorney, “There isn’t a moment that doesn’t go by that I don’t deeply regret what I’ve done. In all honesty, if I had one wish, it would be for Terril to be here with all her family and friends and for this to have never happened.” However, Terrill’s family felt Janzen’s remorse was hollow. Terril’s niece, B. Wink, stated bluntly, “She wasn’t remorseful. The only reason she had remorse was because she got caught. She had remorse for herself, not for my aunt.” The tragedy began on December 25, 2023, when Janzen drove to a parking lot with her five children to meet her ex-boyfriend and the father of her 11-month-old child, identified as T. Williams. Just five days earlier, a judge had ruled that Janzen and Williams would split custody of their baby. Their relationship had already deteriorated after Janzen accused Williams of having an affair shortly after the child’s birth.
When Williams arrived at the parking lot with his new girlfriend, Terrill, tensions boiled over. Armed with a firearm, Janzen approached their vehicle. According to the police report, she hid the gun behind her back until she reached the car. Without warning, she fired three shots at Terrill, fatally wounding her, and then turned the gun on Williams, shooting him three times as well. Witnesses later recalled hearing Janzen shout, “You made this happen.” Terrill, a mother of four, died from her injuries at the scene, while Williams survived the attack.
After the shooting, Janzen fled the scene in her vehicle, initiating a dangerous 13-mile police chase. During the pursuit, she called 911 and confessed to the shooting. Disturbingly, her children were in the car during the chase and could be heard begging their mother to slow down and stop. Eventually, authorities apprehended Janzen and took her into custody. Janzen later entered a plea of no contest to eight counts related to the incident, including the murder charge. Although her defense team requested a sentence of 33 years in prison and asked for permission for her to maintain contact with her children, the prosecution pushed for life in prison without parole — a demand the judge ultimately granted.
At the sentencing hearing, emotions ran high as Terrill’s family described the lasting pain and grief caused by Janzen’s actions. They celebrated the life sentence, feeling it was the only appropriate punishment for the senseless killing. A restitution hearing in the case has been scheduled for June 2, though any monetary judgment will do little to ease the heartbreak left behind. Terrill’s family continues to mourn her loss, and Janzen’s own children are left to face a future without their mother present. What was supposed to be a routine child custody exchange ended in unimaginable violence, leaving two families forever shattered.
