CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) — A Clearwater mom died Sunday night after she and her 7-year-old daughter were hit by crossfire during a shootout between her boyfriend and the child’s father, police said.
The Clearwater Police Department said Nicolshia Washington, 25, died at Mease Countryside Hospital. Her daughter was released from All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg on Monday.
Police said the shooting happened after Washington’s current boyfriend, Stacy Cross, got into a confrontation with her ex-boyfriend, Lavaris Delapierre, who was dropping his daughter off at her mother’s apartment.
The confrontation turned violent when both men fired guns at each other — which led to both Washington and her daughter being shot, according to investigators.
Detectives said they spoke to Cross after the incident.
Delapierre was wanted on several charges including felony murder and armed burglary but turned himself in. He was then taken to Morton Plant Hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound before being questioned at Clearwater Police headquarters.
He is being charged with felony murder, armed burglary and felon in possession of a firearm. He was booked into the Pinellas County Jail Monday evening.
8 On Your Side spoke to the victim’s family members who are left heartbroken following the tragedy.
“She shouldn’t have been gone this early, it was too early for her, she doesn’t deserve this at all,” said Sarah Miller, Washington’s mother.
Washington’s mother said the 25-year-old was full of life and unfortunately leaves behing three young children.
“It’s not fair to my grandkids, and it’s not fair to me, we need justice for Nicolshia,” Miller said.
Miller has started a GoFundMe in hopes of raising money for her daughter’s funeral.