Renee Chaires, a 39-year-old resident of Tallahassee, Florida, tragically lost her life on September 13, 2014. Renee was at her brother Eric Stayton's home in the Chaires Community, celebrating her and her daughter's birthdays. During the celebration, Eric Stayton, 50, attempted to reenact a scene from the movie "Tombstone" by twirling a gun. Unfortunately, the gun slipped from his hand, fell to the ground, and discharged, striking Renee in the neck.
Despite immediate efforts to save her, Renee succumbed to her injuries.
The incident was initially investigated by the Leon County Sheriff's Office. Eric Stayton was not immediately charged, as the authorities continued to gather all the facts before presenting the case to the State Attorney's Office. The investigation revealed that the shooting was accidental, but it still led to legal consequences for Eric Stayton. He was later arrested and charged in connection with the incident. In court, Stayton pleaded no contest to the charges and was sentenced to three years in prison followed by seven years of probation.
Renee Chaires' death was a devastating event for her family and the community. She was remembered as a loving wife, mother, and active community member, owning and operating La Sorelle Salon and supporting the North Florida Homeless Veterans Stand-down program. Her untimely death left a significant impact on those who knew her, and the legal proceedings that followed aimed to bring some measure of justice and closure to the tragic accident.
