VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — A woman charged with first-degree murder in connection to a homicide in Virginia Beach spoke to 10 On Your Side from jail Thursday.
According to police, officers were called to the 500 block of Rodney Lane just after 11 a.m. Wednesday for the report of a shooting. When officers arrived, they located a man who had been shot.
The victim, identified as 90-year-old Woodard McClure, was pronounced dead on the scene.
A woman, later identified as Jennifer Mulligan, 43, was taken into custody without incident and is being held at the Virginia Beach Correctional Center. Following an investigation, Mulligan was charged with first-degree murder and use of a firearm in commission of a felony.
A preliminary investigation indicated this was a domestic-related incident. Neighbors said Mulligan was caring for her 90-year-old father, who was on hospice.
Court documents reveal that Mulligan was the one who called police to the house on Rodney Lane, adding that Virginia Beach Police arrived to find the 90-year-old McClure with a gunshot wound to the head.
“Upon arrival to the scene, they located one adult male that was pronounced deceased on scene,” said Virginia Beach Police Sgt. Jude Brenya.
Court documents also indicated that Mulligan was taken to the detective bureau to be interviewed, and she admitted she shot her father. The documents stated Mulligan was caring for her father, who was on hospice.
One neighbor who spoke to 10 On Your Side by phone said Mulligan had tried to get help, as it became more difficult to care for her father, and recalled the last time they saw each other.
“I noticed right off the bat she was not happy, bubbly, giggly,” the neighbor said. “She was normally a very bubbly person. She was always laughing a lot, and you could definitely see, like, a complete 180. She did not look happy. She looked miserable.
Her neighbor said she understands what it’s like taking care of a family member at that age, and wants people to know this case is anything but black and white.
“As God is my witness, I do not think that this situation was done to be evil,” the neighbor said. “I honestly think it was a sad case of somebody that was so overwhelmed and overloaded and they were not getting the help they were begging for, and she snapped.”
Mulligan, in a brief interview with 10 On Your Side’s Ethan Krauss at the Virginia Beach Correctional Center, said she wanted the public to know this.
“Depression is no joke,” Mulligan said. “My neighborhood, my neighbors, my friends and family, of course, I love and miss them unconditionally.”
Mulligan was set for a bond hearing Friday morning, but it has been withdrawn.