Jacksonville, FL: Jacksonville couple was trying to reconcile before husband shot wife, killed himself

Stacy Todd said she felt good seeing neighbors Robbie and Monica Griffin living together again after a split in their 18-year marriage.

Todd said the couple seemed happy as they tried to reconcile. They’d even begun exercising together, with the husband taking first-time neighborhood walks with his wife, Todd said.

But shortly after Jacksonville police cars flooded Todd’s cul-de-sac about 12:30 p.m. Thursday, she learned something very troubling still haunted 3493 Hickory Landing Court.

Police said Friday that Griffin, 43, shot his wife during an argument and then killed himself. Monica Griffin, 43, remained hospitalized Friday in critical condition.

Their son, Dylan, heard his mother yell to him, followed by what were two shots. He found the bodies and went to a neighbor’s home for help, Todd said. Police began arriving moments later in Glen Hollow, a subdivision of middle-class homes off New Berlin Road. Dylan, who Todd said was about 19 years old, was not injured.

The attack occurred five months after Monica Griffin filed for divorce, leading her husband to file a counter-petition. A court motion filed by the wife’s attorney July 31 indicated they were trying to reconcile.

Todd said she couldn’t believe the marriage ended in violence.

“I never would have imagined them, especially how wonderful they seemed to be doing,” she said.

Their son told WJXT-TV Channel 4 Thursday afternoon that his parents had argued in the past, but never were violent.

“I never saw it coming,” he said.

No one answered the door at the family’s home Friday.

The attempted murder and suicide is the latest in a series of such attacks this year on the First Coast. Eight other people have died in three domestic-related murder-suicides and a workplace murder-suicide in Jacksonville, while six have died in two double-murder/suicides in St. Johns County.

Court records show that Griffin, an electrician, and his wife, an office worker, were married in June 1994. Dylan is their only child, while Monica Griffin had another son and daughter they raised together, Todd said.

The couple moved into their newly built home about 10 years ago, about the same time as Todd and her family. Todd said the couple always seemed happy together, including periodic cookouts they attended at Todd’s home. She said Robert Griffin, known as Robbie, was an avid golfer, while his wife enjoyed exercising.

The Griffins separated in January 2011, records show. Todd said she knew of no trouble in the home, though she said Monica Griffin once expressed concerns about her husband’s drinking. The wife, who had moved out when they were separated, continued to visit her husband on at least some weekends, Todd said.

The divorce petitions give no details about marital strife. Monica Griffin sought alimony from her husband, whom she described as the primary breadwinner. He said neither should receive alimony. Each was seeking the marital home, which records show has an assessed value of $120,000.

Monica Griffin’s attorney filed a motion July 31 requesting that the proceedings be abated since the couple had been attending counseling and sought to seek more help.

Her attorney didn’t return messages left by the Times-Union, while her husband’s attorney said he didn’t know about the shootings and declined to comment.

Todd remained stunned by the attack Friday.

“They were just a normal family,” she said.