Ariel Griffin, a 30-year-old mother of two, was fatally shot on Monday, June 19, 2023, at Monterey Boats in Williston, Florida. The suspect identified in her murder was Jonathon Jerome Segar, 31, who had a prior domestic relationship with Griffin. Segar allegedly entered the Monterey Boats facility early in the morning and shot Griffin, leading to her death.
Following the shooting, Segar fled the scene in a Chevrolet truck with blue and yellow graphics for "DGD" Discount Garage Doors.
Law enforcement agencies, including the Williston Police Department, Levy County Sheriff’s Office, and the 8th Judicial Circuit, collaborated to locate and detain Segar. During the investigation, it was revealed that Segar had been involved in previous domestic disputes with Griffin over the weekend. Griffin had called law enforcement multiple times, reporting that Segar was threatening her and her new boyfriend. Despite these calls, authorities were unable to apprehend Segar at the time due to lack of sufficient information.
The manhunt for Segar extended beyond Levy County, and he was eventually tracked to Dooley County, Georgia. A vehicle pursuit was initiated after a sheriff’s deputy spotted Segar’s vehicle. During the chase, Segar fired shots at the deputies before crashing his vehicle. After the crash, a single gunshot was heard from the vehicle, and upon approaching the scene, authorities found Segar deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Griffin's family described her as having a "beautiful soul" and remembered her for her kindness and dedication to her children. Her mother, Diane Powell, expressed frustration that more had not been done to protect Griffin despite her calls to law enforcement.
