Sheriff Gordon Smith revealed that the altercation was the culmination of ongoing tensions between a former husband and wife. The incident unfolded in Starke, leaving the community in shock.

Authorities reported that around 5:15 a.m., law enforcement officers were dispatched to a residence on NE 6th Lane following a “911 hang-up call” received by the Communications Center.

Upon arrival, officers discovered Loyd Alan Kerr, the ex-husband, dead near the entrance of the home with a gunshot wound to the head. In the yard, they found his ex-wife, Rachael Renee Kerr, critically injured with a gunshot wound to the neck. The officers also found two young children, aged 9 and 11, at the scene.

Despite the swift response from Bradford EMS, Rachael Renee Kerr succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead shortly after their arrival.

Further investigation by the sheriff’s office revealed that the incident stemmed from a domestic violence situation. 

According to Bradford County Sheriff Gordon Smith, Racheal had woken up after thinking that her home had been broken into. She reportedly called 911 before the call was disconnected. 

Sheriff Smith says that Loyd had entered the home and taken the children into a vehicle outside. He also attempted to put Racheal into the vehicle, before she was able to escape with injuries.

After she fled, the sheriff says that Loyd took the children outside and asked them if they wanted to “go to heaven with dad” before he took his life. The children then ran to a neighbor’s house.

Sheriff Gordon confirmed that before the incident, deputies had been to that home multiple times before, and that Loyd had several pending domestic violence cases. It was also said that Racheal had an active restraining order.

Kerr was also arrested in Clay County in November 2025 on a charge of violating an injunction for domestic violence.

Loyd and Rachael’s children are said to be in the Florida Department of Children and Families care “pending placement with family.”