On April 14, 2023, a tragic incident occurred at the Lake Sherwood Apartments in Orange County, Florida, near Apopka-Vineland Road. Tanga Owens, a 20-year-old woman, and her mother, Tanishia Starr, 39, were found shot in a car outside the apartment complex. The two women were transported to a hospital but were later pronounced deceased.
The suspect in the shooting is Radrick Francois, 20, who is the father of Owens's 2-year-old child.
According to the investigation, the shooting took place at a location that was used for child custody exchanges between Francois and Owens. Security footage showed Francois approaching the vehicle, interacting with the victims, and then shooting into the car. After the shooting, Francois left the scene with the 2-year-old child in his arms and returned to his apartment. An 8-month-old boy, also Owens's child, was found unharmed in a car seat inside the vehicle.
Francois was identified as the suspect and was taken into custody by the Orange County Sheriff's Office after he was seen on the balcony of his apartment. During his arrest, Francois claimed that he shot Owens in self-defense and accidentally shot her mother, Tanishia Starr, in the process. However, he has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder with a firearm and is being held without bond.
The family and friends of the victims described Tanga and Tanishia as inseparable and loving individuals who brought joy to those around them. Tanga was pursuing a teaching degree at Valencia College and was a mother of two, while Tanishia was a devoted mother of five. The community is deeply affected by the loss, and the family is seeking justice for the tragic deaths of these two women.
The investigation revealed that the gun used in the shooting was not recovered at the time, as Francois stated that someone known to him had taken the weapon away. The 2-year-old child taken by Francois was found unharmed in his apartment, and the 8-month-old boy in the car was also uninjured. The incident has left a profound impact on the family and friends of the victims, who are now grieving the loss of two beloved members of their community.
