A horrifying event took place on February 18 in Middleton, Wisconsin where a mother took the lives of her children before ending her own.

The individual behind the tragedy has been identified as Jessica Jessmon, a 34-year-old paralegal student. She shot her two children, Mya and Major Lacey Robinson, who were eight and five years old respectively, and then turned the gun on herself. The children’s father, Sedale Lacey-Robinson, 31, was also a victim of multiple gunshots but survived the assault.

The Middleton Police Department disclosed that the shooting occurred on Maywood Avenue around 7:40 p.m. using a handgun. The father, Lacey-Robinson, was shot while trying to escape the residence, but he managed to reach police officers who luckily were on the block for another incident. He was taken to the hospital and has since been discharged from the intensive care unit.

The loss of Mya and Major has deeply affected the family and community. The children were described as “vibrant souls full of laughter, curiosity, and boundless potential” on a GoFundMe page dedicated to their memory.

In the wake of the tragedy, the Middleton community held a vigil at Lakeview Park. Over one hundred community members gathered to remember the young lives lost and to extend support to the grieving family. Middleton Mayor, Emily Kuhn, spoke about the resilience of the community in such difficult times.

Jessmon was a student at Madison Area Technical College, as per her LinkedIn profile, and was set to graduate in May. She held a variety of roles, including a pharmacy technician, administrative call center receptionist, and financial analyst.

The incident has sparked a broader discussion on domestic violence and the crucial role of community support and resources. The Middleton Police Department reaffirmed its dedication to investigating domestic violence incidents and enforcing the law to safeguard the community.

Shannon Barry, the executive director of Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (DAIS), emphasized the importance of support for domestic violence victims. Barry pointed out that while violence by women is rarely seen, it is still a significant issue that requires accessible aid and taking victims’ accounts seriously.

Concerns have been raised about potential federal funding cuts to domestic violence services in Wisconsin. Barry stressed the importance of continuous support to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District, where Mya and Major were students, expressed their condolences, reflecting the deep sense of loss felt in the community.

Some people who knew Jessmon mentioned her past struggles with drug addiction and mental health issues.