Justin Dominguez was a handyman from Fort Wayne, Indiana, who loved fishing, boating, and camping. A father to two sons, Trenton and Gabriel, he was known for a strong work ethic, co-owning an apartment complex with his father, Rufus, where he handled all the maintenance. Justin, 44, also worked in masonry and concrete, often lending his skills to help local Amish communities with their construction projects.
Florida was his favorite place to get away, and he especially loved spending time on the beaches. Born on April 22, 1982, to Rufus and Monica Dominguez, he was an avid sports fan who cheered for the Indianapolis Colts and Notre Dame and enjoyed listening to Christian rock music.
In the early morning hours of Sunday, October 4, 2026, Justin’s life was cut short inside his apartment at the Bahama Bay Condominiums in Gulf Breeze, Florida, a waterfront complex on Pensacola Beach Road. At approximately 2:27 a.m., officers from the Gulf Breeze Police Department and deputies from the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call reporting a shooting. When they arrived, they found Justin suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his abdomen, arms, and legs. First responders attempted lifesaving measures, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Also present at the condominium complex was Joshua Clark, a 44-year-old resident of Gulf Breeze. Police located Clark at the scene in possession of a firearm and took him into custody without incident. The Gulf Breeze Police Department secured the area and notified the Florida Department of Law enforcement, which was tasked with processing the crime scene. The State Attorney’s Office was also notified and sent personnel to the location. In the immediate aftermath, police assured the public that there was no ongoing threat related to the shooting.
Joshua Clark was arrested and faced a number of serious charges in connection with the incident. The charges included manslaughter, two counts of aggravated assault, shooting into a dwelling, reckless driving, and hit-and-run with property damage. The investigation into the circumstances that led to the fatal shooting remained active and ongoing in the days that followed, led by the Gulf Breeze Police Department.
Justin was remembered as a beloved son, father, and brother. He is survived by his parents, his two sons, his brother, Nathan Dominguez, a niece, Keighly, and numerous aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Refugio and Ramona Dominguez, and three uncles. His family and community in Indiana were left to mourn a man taken unexpectedly while he was away in his favorite vacation spot.
Family and friends gathered to remember Justin’s life on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Covington Memorial Funeral Home in his hometown of Fort Wayne. A visitation was held in the afternoon, followed by a funeral service that evening. His burial was held privately at Covington Memorial Gardens. In his memory, the family requested that memorial donations be made to Alive Community Outreach, a local faith-based organization in Fort Wayne that helps people overcome life-controlling issues. As of October 2026, the case against Joshua Clark was proceeding through the Florida court system.
