On July 23, 2023, a tragic incident occurred in Tallahassee, Florida, resulting in the deaths of two women, including Kernishion Charleston, who was 37 years old. The events began shortly before 6 p.m. when neighbors reported hearing shots fired at an apartment complex. Upon arrival, Tallahassee Police Department officers found Qulera Allen, a 29-year-old mother of three, lying on a sidewalk, and Kernishion Charleston in the front yard.
Both women had been shot and died at the scene despite attempts at life-saving measures.
The suspect identified in the shootings was Antirio Brown, a 40-year-old man who was the ex-boyfriend of Qulera Allen and the non-custodial parent to one of her children. Brown had been involved in litigation with Allen over child support. After the shootings, Brown drove away from the scene in his truck.
Law enforcement officers spotted Brown's truck on Interstate 75 and initiated a pursuit that continued into the Gainesville area of Florida. Alachua County deputies successfully stopped the truck by ramming it and deploying stop sticks to flatten the tires.
Before police could apprehend him, Brown went live on Facebook to announce his intention to take his own life. He stated, "It’s over. If you all don’t want to see me kill myself online, I suggest you all log off… because that’s what’s going to happen." By the time the Alachua County SWAT Team and medical personnel determined it was safe to approach the truck, Brown had already taken his own life.
The incident was marked by the distressing scene where a little girl, who was related to the victims, yelled and ran outside screaming that a man had killed her mom and aunt. The grandfather of the victims was also present at the scene to comfort the family during their final moments with the deceased.
The motive behind the shootings appeared to be related to the ongoing child support issues and the strained relationship between Brown and Allen. The community was left to grapple with the devastating consequences of this violent act, which resulted in the loss of two lives and the suicide of the suspect.
