Family: Jacksonville man and mother of child shot in head were in abusive relationship

Family of the Jacksonville mother and 3-year-old shot in the head Thursday night said this stemmed from an abusive relationship that turned violent.

Friday, homicide detectives investigated at the home on Broadway Avenue where police said the toddler was caught in the middle of a toxic former relationship.

“[My sister] was trying to escape an abusive relationship and the ex-boyfriend came in through a window and just opened fire,” said family member P.K. Mickens.

Friday afternoon, Jacksonville police identified that ex-boyfriend as 22-year-old Brian Littles.

Officers said Littles shot Conner Mickens, 3, in the back of the head.

They said he also shot Conner’s mother, Rashaela Mickens, in the leg, but family believes she’ll be OK.

“[Little] has made threats that he was going to kill [Rashaela],” P.K. Mickens said.

P.K. Mickens said her sister never took action against Littles, so she believes this needs to be a lesson for anyone else who may be going through something similar.

“If you find yourself in a domestic violence situation, make sure you report it,” she said.

She believes it could help prevent a tragedy like this.

“My nephew was just an innocent child,” she said.  “He’s so innocent and to see him just lying there, it’s hurtful.”

Cox Media Group