Melania Ross, a 40-year-old African American woman from Jacksonville, FL, tragically lost her life on June 22, 2019. She was a mother of three children, aged 8, 15, and 17. On the night of her death, Melania was attending a cookout at a friend's house on Brooklyn Road. Around 2:30 a.m., while she was inside the house, a shootout occurred outside. Multiple rounds were fired, and a bullet struck Melania in the back.
Despite being rushed to UF Health Jacksonville, she succumbed to her injuries.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office reported that the shots were fired from the street, with approximately 20 shell casings found at the scene. The bullets also hit a tree in front of the house. Homicide detectives interviewed three witnesses, but no arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing. Melania's family described her as a hardworking and kind-hearted individual who was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The impact of Melania's death has been profound on her family, especially her children and siblings. Her brother, Michael Ross, emphasized the deep emotional toll it has taken on everyone. The family has been urging the community to come forward with any information that could help bring the perpetrator to justice. They have also set up a GoFundMe page to support her children.
Despite the efforts of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and the community, the case remains unsolved. The family continues to seek justice for Melania, hoping that someone with information will step forward. The lack of arrests and the ongoing investigation highlight the challenges law enforcement faces in solving such cases.
