Woman dies after older boyfriend hunted her down at bar, charge upgraded to murder

A Florida man is facing upgraded charges after deputies say he shot his girlfriend and then proceeded to run her over with his vehicle while his child was in the car.

On Friday, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office confirmed to Fox News Digital she died as a result of her injuries. 

"On October 15, 2026, at 9:14 p.m., Jessica Antolini was pronounced deceased as a result of the injuries she sustained on October 13, 2026," the update said.

Antolini was 30 years old.

Jessica Antolini, 30, died when her boyfriend allegedly shot her at point blank range and ran her over with his SUV. (Facebook: Suzanne Rys Antolini)

Suzanne Rys Antolini, who claims to be the victim's mother, posted on social media about her daughter's killing. 

She wrote in part, "our beautiful daughter Jessica Antolini passed away last night. Our family is beyond heartbroken. Jessica was a beloved child, cherished sister and treasured friend."

She went on to say, "Jess was a kind and loving person who advocated for the rights of all people and for animal welfare."

Christopher "Dodge" Smith, 40, is facing charges after investigators say he gunned down his girlfriend and ran her over with his car. (Pinellas County Sheriff's Office)

Investigators say the couple got into an argument across the street from a bar in Safety Harbor, Florida on Tuesday.

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said Christopher "Dodge" Smith, 40, now a murder suspect, is the man behind the attack.

According to a criminal complaint, Smith showed up at a bar on Tuesday just before 9 p.m. and appeared to be "hunting" the victim down, witnesses said, adding he looked "possessed."

The complaint says once the suspect found his girlfriend, they got into an argument outside the bar, where he allegedly shot her in the face.

After gunning her down, deputies say he ran her over with his SUV and sped off from the scene with his 5-year-old child also in the car — leaving the victim behind.

The incident happened across the street from a bar in Safe Harbor, Florida. (Google Maps)

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"Detectives say multiple 911 calls reporting the shooting were received from witnesses who also provided information about Smith’s vehicle," the report says.

Responding to those numerous calls, deputies arrived on scene and later located Smith's SUV and tried to pull him over.

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He did not comply, deputies say, to which his "vehicle was immobilized."

Bodycam, dashcam and aerial video released by PCSO appear to show a deputy vehicle successfully pulling off a PIT maneuver of his SUV.

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He was initially arrested on charges of attempted first-degree murder and child abuse following the pursuit. Those charges have been upgraded to first-degree murder. 

Christopher "Dodge" Smith led deputies on a brief pursuit before he was pulled over and cuffed in connection to the attempted murder of his girlfriend, investigators say. (Pinellas County Sheriff's Office)

Smith is sitting inside a Pinellas County jail cell with no bond.