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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (DailyKenn.com) — A 31-year-old black male accused of gunning down the mother of his toddler in a Jacksonville gym parking lot was arrested in Texas after a swift investigation fueled by an anonymous tip, authorities said.
Cherrish Nunley, a 24-year-old mother of two from the Mandarin neighborhood, was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in the lot of a Chuze Fitness center on Nov. 15. The shooting, which occurred around 5 p.m. in the 3800 block of Sunbeam Road, left her family grappling with shock and grief over the inexplicable circumstances of her death.
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According to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, patrol officers responded to reports of gunfire and discovered Nunley unresponsive next to her vehicle. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The Duval County Medical Examiner's Office quickly ruled the death a homicide, launching a homicide investigation that zeroed in on Randy Campbell, Nunley's ex-boyfriend and the father of her 1-year-old son, Preston.
The couple had dated since 2023 but had since split, though details of their breakup remain private. Nunley, who lived in an apartment complex across the street from the gym, held no membership there, leaving her relatives baffled about her presence at the location. "We're not really sure why she ended up over there at that fitness center," her sister, Justine Donaldson, said, adding that the family had noticed Nunley's uncharacteristic silence on social media in the days leading up to the shooting.
Investigators, aided by a tip to First Coast Crime Stoppers, identified Campbell as the prime suspect within days. Working with the State Attorney's Office, detectives secured an arrest warrant. Campbell, who fled the scene after the shooting, was tracked to Dallas, where U.S. Marshals and local police took him into custody on Nov. 20 without incident. He has no prior criminal record in Florida and is awaiting extradition to face first-degree murder charges. Authorities emphasized that the case appears targeted and isolated, with no evidence linking it to two other recent homicides of women in Jacksonville that had sparked unfounded online rumors of a serial killer.
"Our hearts go out to Nunley's family and friends; we'll work with the State Attorney's Office to make sure justice is served," the sheriff's office said in a statement, reassuring the public there is no broader threat.
Donaldson, who described her sister as "the greatest sister ever" and her best friend, painted a portrait of a gentle soul devoted to her children—a 5-year-old daughter and the toddler she shared with Campbell. "She had a very gentle soul, and she was really good with kids and animals. She always was about helping everybody but herself," Donaldson said. The slaying came just two years after the family lost their mother in 2022, and Nunley had been set to join relatives that evening for a home-cooked dinner and time with a new baby in the family.
"We're heartbroken and confused," Donaldson told reporters, her voice breaking. "We want whoever did this to be caught." The family has rallied community support through a GoFundMe campaign that has raised thousands for funeral costs and the children's future, and they plan a memorial car show in January to celebrate Nunley's life.
Jacksonville's Mandarin community, known for its quiet suburban vibe, has been left reeling by the violence. Neighbors expressed condolences online, with many echoing the family's call for witnesses to come forward to Crime Stoppers. "Three too many in a week," one local posted on social media, referencing the unrelated deaths but praising police for quelling panic. As Campbell's extradition proceeds, Nunley's loved ones hold onto memories of her selflessness amid demands for swift accountability in a case that underscores the hidden tensions in domestic ties.
Family confirms Nunley and accused shooter were exes who shared a 1-year-old child
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