Eugenia "Mari" Marte, a 45-year-old Hispanic woman, tragically lost her life on October 18, 2012, in Casselberry, Florida. The incident occurred at the Las Dominicanas M & M Salon, which she co-owned. On that fateful day, Bradford Baumet, a 36-year-old man with a history of criminal behavior, stormed into the salon armed with a stolen gun. Baumet's rampage resulted in the deaths of three women, including Eugenia Marte, and left another critically injured.
Baumet's primary target was his
estranged girlfriend, Marcia Santiago, who managed the salon alongside Marte. Santiago, a 44-year-old Hispanic woman, had previously obtained a temporary injunction against Baumet due to his threatening behavior. Despite these legal measures, Baumet managed to carry out his attack, critically injuring Santiago and killing Marte, along with Noelia Gonzalez-Brito, a 28-year-old salon employee, and Gladys Cabrera, a 52-year-old customer.
The events leading up to the shooting were marked by Baumet's escalating violence and harassment. On the day of the attack, Baumet was scheduled to appear in court for an injunction hearing related to his behavior towards Santiago. Instead, he chose to confront her at the salon, resulting in the tragic loss of life. After the shooting, Baumet fled to a friend's house, where he ultimately took his own life.
The investigation into the incident revealed Baumet's extensive criminal history, which included charges of stalking, trespassing, burglary, and making obscene phone calls. Despite the legal actions taken by Santiago and Marte to protect themselves, Baumet's actions culminated in a devastating act of violence that shocked the Casselberry community. The case highlighted the severe consequences of domestic violence and the challenges faced by victims in securing their safety.
