A Florida man is facing first-degree murder and child abuse charges after allegedly shooting his girlfriend in the face and running her over with an SUV while his 5-year-old daughter was inside the vehicle.
Christopher “Dodge” Smith, 40, allegedly attacked Jessica Antolini, 30, following an argument outside a bar in Safety Harbor, Florida, on Tuesday night, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
Witnesses told investigators that Smith arrived at the bar shortly before 9 p.m. and appeared to be “hunting” for Antolini. Some described him as looking “possessed,” according to a criminal complaint cited by the New York Post.
After finding Antolini, Smith provoked an argument with her outside the bar before shooting her in the face. Authorities said he then drove his SUV over her and fled the scene with his 5-year-old daughter and a dog still inside, leaving Antolini critically injured.
“Detectives say multiple 911 calls reporting the shooting were received from witnesses who also provided information about Smith’s vehicle,” the sheriff’s office said in its incident report.
Deputies later located Smith’s SUV and attempted to pull him over. Smith allegedly refused to stop, forcing deputies to immobilize the vehicle, according to the New York Post.
Smith was initially charged with attempted first-degree murder and child abuse. He is being held without bond at the Pinellas County Jail. After Antolini died from her injuries, his murder charge was upgraded to first-degree murder.
Safety Harbor Mayor Joe Ayoub announced Antolini’s death in a Facebook post, describing the community as grieving following a “devastating act of domestic violence.”
“It is with a profoundly heavy heart that I must share that our neighbor, Jessica Antolini, has passed away from the severe injuries she sustained during the attack,” Ayoub wrote.
“As a father to a 5-year-old daughter myself, my heart completely breaks for the innocent young child who was caught in the middle of this horrific event. No child should ever have to witness or endure such trauma,” he added.
Ayoub also praised law enforcement and community members for their swift response, crediting them with helping apprehend the suspect and ensuring the child was safely reunited with loved ones.
“I want to extend my gratitude to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and the brave community members who stepped forward instantly on Tuesday night,” he wrote. “Because of your quick actions and the rapid response of our deputies, the suspect was immediately apprehended and remains in custody facing upgraded charges of First-Degree Murder.”
Christopher Dodge mugshot. Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (credit: NYP)
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