A ‘normal’ lieutenant at a Florida fire department killed his wife and then himself in a disturbing murder-suicide on Thursday night.
Shawn Yarbrough, 46, and his wife, Andrea Nicole Yarbrough, were discovered dead around 9:20 pm in their home in the Entrada subdivision off County Road 207.
The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office determined that while Shawn’s manner of death indicated suicide, Andrea’s death appeared to be the result of a homicide.
Shawn and Andrea, who worked as a financial manager, had four children together, who are still young and now left without parents.
Although it’s still unclear whether or not the kids were present in the house for the horrific scene, one neighbor told News4JAX that the couple’s children were not in the home at the time of the shooting.
Another neighbor expressed his utter shock about the tragedy, explaining that they were a ‘typical nice family.’
‘They’re really nice, really laid-back people. Just really genuine people,’ the neighbor said in disbelief to News4Jax.
He added that he never overheard any arguments or saw any evidence of domestic troubles.
‘Didn’t know they even had any problems. Like [other] neighbors said “they’re just like a normal family.”‘
By the time the neighbor returned home at 12:30 am, there were already numerous police and forensic vehicles.
In a press conference on Friday, the St Johns County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that it was a murder-suicide and called the terrible scene a ‘tragic isolated incident.’
Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Wendolyn Sneed told Historic City News that the cause of death for Andrea Yarbrough was a gunshot wound, and that her manner of death was identified as a homicide.
Shawn and Andrea Yarbrough were married on December 2022 and purchased the home in which their bodies would be later found in August of that same year.
In the case of Shawn Yarbrough, however, Dr. Sneed determined that his gunshot wound was self-inflicted.
Prior to her death, Andrea worked for Graybar in Jacksonville as a financial, beginning her career there in 2019.
Shawn was a prominent lieutenant at the St Johns County Fire Rescue Department, where he was hired in March 2004. Prior to his promotion to lieutenant, he was an engineer.
The chief of the fire department where Shawn worked has since broken his silence on the horrific event.
On X.com, Chief Sean McGee posted a statement that said: ‘The recently reported events were unexpected, shocking, and tragic for all those affected.’
Chief McGee further remarked on how the department is devastated by the tragedy.
‘As a department, we are profoundly saddened by the loss of life, recognizing its enduring impact on the families and children of those affected.’
The fire chief concluded his statement by saying: ‘My heartfelt prayers and sincerest condolences are with the victims, their families, and friends left grieving as a result of these events.’
The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office is still actively investigating the incident and trying to determine what brought about the gruesome shooting.
On Facebook, Shawn Yarbrough appeared as his neighbors described him- typical.
Many of his posts are pictures of him with his wife and children. Less than two weeks ago, he uploaded a picture of himself smiling next to his wife with the caption: ‘Sometimes we dress up.’
And in a post from earlier this year, Shawn Yarbrough boasted of his children’s academic success, which he attributed to his wife’s efforts.
‘Reports just came out a few days ago,’ he wrote. ‘Kids are still doing really well even with advanced/honors classes. Thank you Andrea Nicole Yarbrough for all the effort and dedication to the kids’ success.’