In a shocking turn of events straight out of a crime thriller, a Florida woman allegedly opened fire on her father during a child custody exchange — right outside a sheriff’s office and in front of his young kids.
Gabriella Nascimento, 28, has been charged with attempted first-degree murder after police say she ambushed her dad, 49-year-old Rogerio Nascimento, in broad daylight in the parking lot of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Administration Building on Sunday morning.
According to investigators, Rogerio was at the location for a court-ordered custody hand-off with his estranged wife. The couple shares four young children, and three of them were reportedly too nervous to get out of their mother’s car.
As the adults stood near their vehicles talking — Rogerio, his sister, and his estranged wife — Gabriella allegedly pulled up separately, walked into the conversation, and then pulled a gun.
Without warning, police say Gabriella aimed a semi-automatic firearm at her father and shot him in the back. As he ran toward the building’s entrance pleading for help, she reportedly chased him and fired a second shot — missing this time.
Rogerio was hit twice and rushed to the hospital, where he remains in critical but stable condition. Officials said he managed to make it to the lobby before collapsing. Gabriella, meanwhile, allegedly placed the weapon on the ground and waited to be arrested.
Authorities have not yet revealed a motive, but the violent encounter played out just feet away from law enforcement — and in front of three traumatized children.
Gabriella is currently being held at the Pinellas County Jail and is expected to appear before a judge Monday.
