Safety Harbor Bar Shooting Victim Dies; Suspect Charged With Murder: Sheriff

SAFETY HARBOR, FL — A woman who was shot and run over by her boyfriend outside a Safety Harbor bar on Tuesday night has died, and the suspect's charge has been upgraded to first-degree murder, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.

Jessica Antolini, 30, was pronounced dead Thursday around 9:15 p.m. from injuries she sustained in the incident, authorities said.

Christopher “Dodge” Smith, 40, was initially charged with attempted first-degree murder and child abuse. Following Antolini's death, the attempted murder charge was upgraded to first-degree murder, the sheriff’s office said.

Deputies responded to reports of a shooting around 9 p.m. on Tuesday near the southwest corner of 9th Avenue South and Main Street, just west of Harbor Bar at 840 Main Street.

Smith entered the bar around 8:45 p.m., leaving his 5-year-old daughter and their dog in the parking lot, the sheriff’s office said. He later exited the bar with Antolini, his girlfriend, and the two began arguing outside.

During the altercation, Smith shot Antolini before fleeing in his vehicle with his daughter and dog, detectives said. As he drove away, he ran over the victim.

Witnesses called 911 and provided information about Smith's vehicle, which deputies located a short time later. Smith was taken into custody, and his daughter and the dog were found safe inside the vehicle. The child was subsequently reunited with family members.

Smith was transported to the Pinellas County Jail.

PCSO offered the following resources for anyone experiencing domestic violence or concerned about someone who may be in danger can contact:

• CASA Pinellas 24-hour domestic violence hotline: 727-895-4912
• HOPE Villages of America: 727-442-4128
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
• Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Victim Advocates: 727-582-6259

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