Nationwide — Brooke Smith, a 24-year-old African American nursing student from Gainesville, Florida, has sadly died after a shooting at a condo complex. She was just months away from graduating from the University of Florida.
Friends and family said Smith was found shot Tuesday night at the Creeks Edge Condos. She suffered a gunshot wound and was declared dead at the scene after emergency responders arrived.
According to Atlanta News First, police identified her boyfriend, 31-year-old Xavion Perry, as the suspect in the shooting. Investigators said Smith had been trying to end the relationship, which led to a confrontation that escalated into violence.
After the shooting, Perry fled the area and was later spotted near Daytona Beach. Officers pursued him during a chase before he abandoned his vehicle, ran onto a pier, and jumped into the water.
Authorities later recovered a body washed ashore and confirmed it was Perry. Police said he had been livestreaming during the pursuit and made suicidal statements before his death. Records also showed prior charges, including domestic violence, grand theft, and resisting arrest.
Smith was studying nursing at the University of Florida and was set to complete her bachelor’s degree in August. The University of Florida College of Nursing expressed grief and sent condolences to students and staff following her death.
Yoga Pod in Gainesville, where Smith worked part-time, also closed for two days in her memory.