This story discusses suicide. If you or anyone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
In a tragic incident in Missouri, a mother and her teenage daughter were tragically shot and killed in their home by a neighbor following a dispute, according to authorities.
On July 25, Robert Winkelman, aged 73, approached the home of his neighbors, the Lashlys, in House Springs, Missouri. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office reported that he voiced concerns to 38-year-old Jessica Lashly about activities at her residence. An exchange ensued, leading Winkelman to fatally shoot Lashly in the head.
Jessica Lashly, 38, along with her 17-year-old daughter, Jersey Greer, tragically lost their lives following the shooting in their House Springs home. (Courtesy of Midlawn Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens)
Tragedy compounded when Jersey Greer, only 17, attempted to aid her mother and was also shot in the head by Winkelman, as confirmed by the sheriff’s office. Winkelman then pursued another individual in the house, but that person escaped unharmed. Despite medical efforts, both Lashly and Greer succumbed to their injuries in a nearby hospital a few days later.
When deputies arrived at Winkelman’s home and moved to confront him, he turned the gun on himself.
He died at a local hospital on Aug. 2, according to investigators, who said he would have been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of armed criminal action.
According to reports, investigators said that Winkelman initially went to Lashly’s home to complain about noise. A spokesman for the sheriff’s office characterized the incident to News Media as a “dispute between neighbors.”
Investigators learned that Winkelman had “ongoing frustrations” with activities at Lashly’s home.
Robert Winkelman, 73, walked to his neighbor’s home and opened fire, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. He later died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. (Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office)
Justice Greer, the teenage victim’s twin sister, told KSDK, “She was literally just the funniest person ever.”
“She could make anybody laugh. She was really supportive about anything and everything. She could always tell when someone was sad or needed uplifting, and she was always the one to do it,” Justice Greer said.
“Jersey’s last moments, she was trying to save my mom. It just shows how brave she is, and I hope I can be half as brave as she is,” she added.
Justice Greer said Lashly was a single mother who did everything she could to support her daughters.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said Winkelman would have faced two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of armed criminal action. (Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office)
“It was always just us three,” Justice said. “It’s going to be really hard because that’s all I’m used to.”
Abby Feldmann, who coached lacrosse for both Justice and Jersey Greer, told KSDK that Jersey is someone who can “change your whole perspective on life.”
“There’s not one person who would refuse to follow her,” Feldmann said. “Everyone’s behind her. She’s really an amazing girl.”