A dispute between neighbors ended in tragedy in House Springs, Missouri, where a mother and one of her teenage twin daughters died after being shot outside their home. Authorities indicated that the alleged perpetrator is a 73-year-old man who later attempted to take his own life.
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office reported that Jessica Lashly, 38, and her daughter Jersey Greer, 17, were shot Saturday night.
According to the preliminary investigation, Robert Winkelman, 73, walked to the family residence to confront Lashly about alleged activities that authorities said had been bothering him for some time.
The teenager tried to help her mother
Investigators indicated that during the verbal exchange, Lashly responded to the man and he allegedly pulled out a firearm and shot him in the head.
Upon observing what happened, Jersey Greer ran to help his mother, but was also shot, according to the version offered by the authorities.
Officers also noted that the suspect chased a third person with his gun drawn. That person managed to escape and was not injured.
Later, as officers attempted to confront him, Winkelman allegedly shot himself in front of his own home.
Both victims died in hospital.
Jessica Lashly and Jersey Greer were taken in critical condition to Mercy Hospital South, where they remained on life support until Monday, when their relatives decided to remove it. Both died that same day.
Winkelman remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Authorities charged him with two counts of first-degree assault and two counts of armed criminal action. There is no word on when he will appear in court due to his medical condition.
The Sheriff's Office indicated that the suspect had “ongoing frustrations” over activities that allegedly took place at Lashly's home.
The authorities have not specified what these activities were. However, a neighbor quoted by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch claimed that Winkelman disapproved of the way the family maintained the property.
The investigation continues to clarify all the details of the case.
A family marked by tragedy
Jersey Greer had an identical twin sister, Justice Greer, who was not home at the time of the attack because she was working.
Relatives pointed out that the sisters and their mother used to always be together. Now, Justice faces the simultaneous loss of his mother and sister.
Jessica Lashly worked in the family tree trimming business and, according to her social media, described herself as a “proud mother of Justice Ann and Jersey Lynn.”
The twins attended Northwest High School in Cedar Hill and were part of the girls' lacrosse team.
After news of his death, teammates, coaches and community members organized tributes in honor of Jersey Greer and promoted a fundraising campaign to help Justice Greer with his family's medical and funeral expenses.
Relatives also remembered the teenager as a caring young woman and stated that, even in her last moments, she tried to protect her mother and those who were close to her.
