Police make arrest in the murder of Jacksonville Coast Guard member

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — UPDATE 8:15 p.m.: Action News Jax obtained a copy of Tyree Parker’s arrest warrant with details on the events that led to his arrest.

According to the arrest warrant, witnesses described the suspect as a Black male wearing a white shirt and a blue hat. Video and audio obtained from the scene show the suspect wearing the same distinctive clothing with the addition of cargo-style pants.

Surveillance video obtained from a nearby business showed a man running on the sidewalk with the same clothing. Later in the same video, the suspect jumps from the edge of the bushes before getting in a silver Ford Edge.

Police found a white shirt and a blue head covering that the suspect was described as wearing after a search the area. Police also found a blue bag strap. All of the items were sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for DNA analysis.

The FDLE determined there were three individuals connected to the white shirt — a female and two males.

From there, police interviewed the female individual who denied being a part of the incident. She provided messages that showed Tyree Parker was involved.

One message was sent by Tyree Parker to the female individual in reference to police questioning her. “I’m sorry about last night. I ain’t think they was gonna be there when I came by last night,” The message read.

After discussing the facts with the State Attorney’s Office, the decision was made to issue a warrant for Tyree Parker’s arrest.

ORIGINAL STORY:

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday a man has been arrested in the shooting death of a Coast Guard member.

According to JSO, Tyree Parker, 22, turned himself around midnight Tuesday.

Parker is accused of shooting 27-year-old Caroline Schollaert at her Riverside home after she caught Parker burglarizing her car in the early hours of Aug. 3.

JSO said Schollaert was on the phone with 911 dispatchers when she confronted Parker at gunpoint.

Parker- who JSO said also had a gun- fired multiple shots at Schollaert and ran from the scene before officers arrived.

Schollaert was an active member of the US Coast Guard assigned to the helicopter interdiction tactical squadron or “hitron” here in Jacksonville.

Parker, according to court documents, was arrested in April 2021 for battery against a woman. He is now charged with second-degree murder but JSO said more charges are likely.

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