A tragic incident shook a quiet neighborhood in Panama City, Florida, after a family argument spiraled out of control, leaving two people dead and one critically injured. The events unfolded late on December 13, following a heated argument between 67-year-old Newell Mock and his wife, Rhonda Mock, 65.
According to police reports, the argument at their home became so intense that Newell armed himself with a handgun. Fearing for her safety, Rhonda fled the house. Newell then drove to the nearby home of Rhonda’s daughter, Jessica Johns, and her husband, Joshua Johns, both 40.
When Newell arrived at the Johns’ house, he forced his way inside and opened fire, hitting both Jessica and Joshua multiple times. Thankfully, the couple’s two young children, aged 5 and 7, were asleep upstairs and were unharmed during the horrific attack.
Police were alerted to the scene by 911 calls about the shooting. When officers arrived, they found Newell sitting on the porch with the gun still in his hand. Despite their attempts to talk him down, Newell refused to cooperate and tragically turned the gun on himself, ending his life.
Inside the house, officers discovered Joshua Johns had died from his injuries. Jessica, although critically wounded, was still alive. Paramedics quickly provided care at the scene before rushing her to the hospital. Meanwhile, officers and a volunteer chaplain stayed with the children until their family could be contacted.
Authorities are still investigating the motive behind the violence. Panama City Police Chief Mark Smith shared that Newell’s rage was initially directed at his wife. When she escaped, he seemed to target her daughter and her family in an effort to hurt her indirectly. Chief Smith also mentioned that alcohol might have played a role in Newell’s actions.
The community has rallied around the surviving family. Molly Vise, Jessica’s sister-in-law, started a GoFundMe campaign to help with medical bills, funeral costs, and other expenses during this difficult time. The campaign, initially set with a modest goal of $8,000, has raised over $95,000 thanks to overwhelming support.
As Jessica continues to recover, the family is left grappling with the devastating loss of Joshua and the unimaginable trauma of this tragedy. The two children, thankfully unharmed physically, now face a world forever changed by the events of that night.
