A Florida beauty school student was fatally shot outside the academic building by a disgruntled ex-boyfriend who had allegedly been stalking her before he killed himself in a “sudden act of violence” on Tuesday.
Aileen Martinez, 20, was found inside a white SUV at the parking lot of the Aveda Institute of South Florida in Davie, Fla., just after 2 p.m. when police responded to a shooting steps from the school.
Officials said Martinez was targeted by the gunman, who was only identified as a 25-year-old man who had a previous relationship with the aspiring cosmetologist, according to NBC 6 South Florida.
Martinez was shot as she sat inside the vehicle before the gunman turned the gun on himself.
He initially survived the shooting and was transported to a local hospital in critical condition, but later died.
The daylight murder-suicide prompted two nearby schools — St. David Catholic School and Know It All Preparatory School — to go under lockdown as students and workers recalled hearing the shooting from less than a half mile away.
“Hurry, could somebody please bring a cop, somebody got shot at the Aveda Institute on University,” one woman said in a 911 call obtained by the outlet.
“We don’t know exactly what’s going on, we’re inside the building, we heard gunshots outside, one of the students went outside, said that they saw someone with a gun, pointing at a car and they’re also saying they passed by the car and there’s a dead person laying down in the car.”
Martinez’s parents identified their daughter as the victim in the shooting, calling the tragedy a “sudden act of violence” after the gunman allegedly stalked her.
“We are heartbroken that our daughter was taken from us,” her parents said in statement obtained by NBC 6.
“We take solace in knowing she celebrated life to the fullest while she was with us, and we find comfort in believing she is now at peace. We condemn the violence and stalking that led to this unimaginable loss. No parent should have to bury their child, and no one should ever live in fear for choosing to walk away from a relationship.”
Officials have not revealed the circumstances or motives behind Tuesday’s murder-suicide.
Martinez was studying cosmetology at the school, located just outside of Fort Lauderdale. She previously attended a music school in Miami for four years and performed with local bands, according to a GoFundMe set up to help her family pay for funeral expenses.
“As you can imagine, her family is dealing with a tremendous grief, having lost their eldest daughter so unexpectedly,” Rachel Tracey, the organizer of the fundraiser, wrote.
“And true to the meaning of her name, was the shining light in her family’s life,” Tracey said.
“She loved rock n’ roll, thrift shopping, playing computer video games and discovering new makeup tricks. Her favorite color was jade green, which is fitting because it symbolizes peace & calm and love & harmony, all traits that represent Aileen.