Loyd Alan Kerr and Rachael Renee Kerr die in fatal Bradford County, Fla. double shooting
Fatal Bradford County, Fla. double shooting death of Loyd Alan Kerr and Rachael Renee Kerr – Obituary
Loyd Alan Kerr, 52, and his wife Rachael Renee Kerr, 43, have both died following a tragic domestic violence-related shooting early Thursday in Starke, Florida.
At around 5:15 a.m., Bradford County deputies responded to a “911 hang-up call” at a home on NE 6th Lane. Upon arrival, officers found Loyd deceased with a gunshot wound to his head, and Rachael was discovered in the yard, gravely injured from a gunshot to her neck. Despite emergency medical efforts, Rachael later died at the scene.
Investigations indicate that the shooting was the culmination of a domestic dispute. Sheriff Gordon Smith confirmed that Rachael had called 911, believing a break-in was happening, before the call abruptly ended. Deputies later determined that Loyd had taken the children into a vehicle and attempted to force Rachael into the car before she managed to escape.
In a final act, Loyd allegedly asked his children if they wanted to “go to heaven with dad” before fatally shooting himself. The children, aged 9 and 11, ran to a neighbor’s house. Authorities confirmed that the family had a history of domestic violence, with several prior visits to the home by deputies and an active restraining order against Loyd.