Stranger randomly shooting people in home is killed by 16-year-old, FL cops say
A home intrusion that ended with two dead and two wounded was a random act of violence against a family that immediately began fighting back, according to investigators in North Florida.
As a result, the intruder is among the dead.
It happened just before 6:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 15, when 45-year-old Mauricio Vasco Lopez barged into a home in Middleburg and began shooting anyone in sight, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office said in a case update.
The shootings stopped when a 16-year-old boy grabbed a shotgun and started firing back at Lopez, the sheriff office says.
Investigators have yet to find a link between Lopez and the victims, other than the fact his car stalled in front of their home.
“The suspect and his wife left their residence in Jacksonville after midnight and drove through Clay County for several hours. At some point, the front tire of the vehicle was damaged. The suspect continued driving until the vehicle became disabled in front of the incident location,” the sheriff’s office said.
“He then walked through the fenced yard of the residence and came across James Magruder, who was standing outside the house. Armed with a handgun, the suspect ordered James inside the residence. Once inside, the suspect immediately shot the 21-year-old female. The suspect then encountered Vincent Cicone Jr. and fired a round, striking him. Samantha Cicone armed herself with a shotgun; however, the suspect shot her multiple times before she could fire a shot. The 16-year-old male was able to grab the shotgun and fire two rounds, critically injuring him.”
An 11-year-old girl hid from Lopez in a bedroom, while Linda Peeples, 47, Ashlyn Peeples, 19, and Magruder, 18, fled to a neighbor’s home for help, officials said.
Samantha Cicone, 39, died at the scene. Vincent Cicone Jr., 48, was treated at a hospital and released, and the 21-year-old woman remains hospitalized in critical condition, officials said. Her identity has not been released.
The shootings happened as the suspect’s wife sat outside in their car, unaware of her husband’s intentions, officials said.
“At this time, investigative efforts have found no evidence that the suspect had any prior connection to the residence, the victims, or the surviving family members,” the sheriff’s office said. “The motive remains unknown, however the suspect had several apparent mental health crises recently.”
The identity of the boy who shot Lopez was not released, but the sheriff’s office lauded “the courage shown by those who acted to protect their loved ones during this tragedy.”
Middleburg is about a 30-mile drive southwest from Jacksonville.
This story was originally published September 18, 2025 at 12:40 PM with the headline "Stranger randomly shooting people in home is killed by 16-year-old, FL cops say."