- Isaiah Devon Campbell was arrested and charged with murder for killing his 21-year-old girlfriend Nicole Xenia Lopez during a domestic altercation in Lake City.
- The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the incident at 3881 NW Moore Road around 4:19 a.m. Thursday and found Lopez deceased with blunt-force and stab wounds.
- This homicide occurred less than 12 hours after another shooting death in Lake City involving 16-year-old Ashia La Shai Moore and a 17-year-old person of interest was arrested.
A 21-year-old woman was killed during a domestic violence incident early Thursday morning, less than 12 hours after another homicide was reported in Lake City.
According to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) release, deputies responded at approximately 4:19 a.m. on Thursday to a 911 call reporting a deceased woman at 3881 NW Moore Road.
Deputies were let into the residence by the 911 caller, identified as the victim’s 19-year-old boyfriend, Isaiah Devon Campbell.
Campbell told dispatchers that his girlfriend, Nicole Xenia Lopez, 21, had fallen and struck her head during a physical altercation and was no longer breathing. Deputies found Lopez inside the residence. She was cold to the touch and was pronounced dead by emergency medical personnel shortly after their arrival.
During the investigation, detectives determined that Lopez had sustained blunt-force injuries and stab wounds during a physical altercation with Campbell earlier that night, according to the sheriff’s office.
Campbell was detained at the scene and interviewed by detectives before being arrested. He was transported to the Columbia County Detention Facility and charged with murder.
Following his first appearance in court Friday morning, a judge ordered Campbell held without bond.
CCSO said its deputies, detectives and members of the Third Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office worked through the night on the investigation, as well as another homicide that occurred approximately 12 hours earlier, at about 4 p.m. Wednesday, when 16-year-old Ashia La Shai Moore was shot inside her apartment. CCSO arrested 17-year-old Dominique Santonio Hill as a person of interest.
“Their dedication in the face of two homicide investigations within a single 24-hour period reflects their unwavering commitment to seeking justice for victims and to the safety of our community,” the release stated.
CCSO is urging residents to recognize the warning signs of domestic violence and seek help when needed. Domestic violence can affect anyone, regardless of age, background or circumstance, and situations can escalate when abuse goes unaddressed, the sheriff’s office said.
Anyone experiencing domestic violence or who knows someone in an abusive or unsafe situation can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline 24 hours a day at 800-799-SAFE (7233) or by texting “START” to 88788. Local support is also available through Another Way Inc. at 866-875-7983.
Anyone with information about Thursday’s homicide is asked to contact the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office at 386-719-2005. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers of Columbia County at 386-754-7099 or visit columbiacrimestoppers.net.