Florida Father Accused of Killing Girlfriend in Front of His 5-Year-Old Daughter: ‘Daddy Shot Jess’

A Florida woman died after being shot outside a bar and allegedly run over by her boyfriend as he fled the scene. Investigators say the man’s young daughter was inside the vehicle and later told authorities what she had witnessed.

A disturbing homicide case in Florida has drawn attention after investigators alleged that a father shot his girlfriend outside a bar and drove over her as he fled, with his 5-year-old daughter inside the vehicle.

Christopher Dodge Smith, 40, is accused of killing Jessica Antolini, 30, during an incident outside the Harbor Bar in Safety Harbor on the evening of October 13, 2026, according to reports citing police records.

The case has taken on an especially troubling dimension because of the young child who was reportedly present during the violence. According to an arrest affidavit described in media reports, the girl repeatedly told authorities: “Daddy shot Jess.”

Antolini was taken to a hospital but died from her injuries on October 15, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. Smith now faces charges including first-degree murder and child abuse and is being held without bond, authorities and news reports say.

Witnesses Reportedly Saw Him Searching for His Girlfriend

According to the arrest affidavit, Smith arrived at the bar shortly before 9 p.m. on October 13 while his young daughter and a dog were in his vehicle.

Witnesses reportedly told investigators that Smith was behaving unusually as he looked for Antolini. Some described his movements as erratic and said he appeared to be searching for her.

When the pair encountered each other outside the establishment, they allegedly became involved in a verbal argument in the parking area.

Investigators allege that Smith then produced a handgun and shot Antolini in the face. As he left in his vehicle, he allegedly drove over her body before fleeing the scene.

The allegations are based on police accounts, witness statements and information described in the arrest affidavit. Smith is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

A Child’s Words Became a Key Part of the Investigation

One of the most heartbreaking details in the case involves Smith’s 5-year-old daughter, who was reportedly inside the vehicle during the incident.

According to the affidavit as reported by multiple news outlets, Smith later contacted his mother and said he had “messed up” and “shot Jess.”

The child subsequently told authorities, “Daddy shot Jess,” reportedly repeating the statement several times.

The girl was not physically injured, according to reports. However, her presence during an alleged act of extreme violence has raised serious concerns about the circumstances she experienced.

Authorities have also brought a child-abuse charge against Smith in connection with the case. The precise evidence and legal arguments supporting that charge will be addressed through the criminal proceedings.

Because the child is a minor, protecting her identity and privacy is particularly important as the case moves forward.

911 Calls Helped Deputies Locate the Suspect

Police received multiple emergency calls reporting the shooting. Witnesses reportedly provided information about the suspect’s vehicle, helping deputies locate it.

According to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, but Smith did not initially pull over. Officers then immobilized the vehicle and took him into custody.

The arrest followed an investigation into the shooting and the circumstances surrounding Antolini’s death.

Authorities subsequently upgraded the case to a homicide investigation after Antolini died from her injuries. Smith is being held at the Pinellas County Jail without bond, according to published reports.

A Life Lost and a Family Facing the Aftermath

Antolini was 30 years old. Her death has left a devastating outcome at the center of a case involving alleged intimate-partner violence and a young child who reportedly witnessed the attack.

While investigators work to establish the full sequence of events, the allegations underscore the potentially devastating consequences of violence within personal relationships.

The case also highlights the vulnerability of children caught in dangerous situations involving adults they depend on. Even when a child is not physically injured, witnessing serious violence can have lasting emotional consequences and may require appropriate professional support.

For now, the criminal proceedings will determine the evidence against Smith and the legal responsibility, if any, he bears for Antolini’s death.

The words attributed to the young girl have become one of the most haunting details in the reports—not because they establish guilt on their own, but because they offer a glimpse into the frightening circumstances investigators say she witnessed.

As the case moves forward, the focus remains on the investigation, the legal process and the welfare of the child left to cope with the aftermath of a tragedy involving two adults in her life.