A local woman is dead and her husband is in the hospital after what deputies are calling an “unprovoked attack.”
The suspect in that attack is in the Pierce County Jail. He's accused of killing Flora Hollman and severely injuring her husband Dan.
Byron Jernigan was arrested during a traffic stop on Monday. He is charged with murder, arson, aggravated assault and home invasion.
The Hollmans called 911 Sunday night for help. When they got there, they found a small fire and put it out. They then began giving the couple first aid, quickly realizing their injuries were not fire related.
"There were signs of a struggle inside the house. I think it was somebody they were familiar with. There was no sign of forced entry so it's likely they just answered the door," Pierce County Sheriff Bennett said.
Deputies say the couple was beaten and robbed. They think the fire was set to cover up the crime.
Both Dan and Flora Hollman were rushed to the hospital. Flora died from her injuries. Her husband Dan remains hospitalized at UF Health Jacksonville.
The couple has lived in the area for decades and attend church in town. Relatives say they are loved throughout the community.
"Everybody in Patterson knows them, knows them to be good people, loyal folks, church people," said relative, Ariane Howard.
Howard says the couple could hardly get around, let alone defend themselves.
"Aunt Flora could barely walk and he was in a wheelchair, you know?"
Anyone with any information in the case is asked to contact the Pierce County Sheriff's Office.