A tragic incident occurred in Florida where a beloved teacher, Jamie Felix, was kidnapped by her estranged husband and fatally shot in front of their children before he turned the gun on himself as police closed in. The first responders found her 10- and 17-year-old children unharmed, sitting with their mother, who died at the scene. Felix was a middle school teacher at Manatee Academy K-8 School in Port St. Lucie, where she was highly regarded and had been named “Teacher of the Year.”
Felix’s friend described her as a beautiful soul who loved her children deeply and was incredibly brave and resilient. She had a contagious laugh and a positive spirit, creating a lasting impact on those around her. Reports indicated that Felix and her estranged husband, Ray Felix, were going through a messy divorce which had previous incidents of domestic violence. The tragic incident occurred late Friday evening in a business parking lot in Port St. Lucie, when Ray, armed and disguised, approached Jamie and the children.
The situation escalated as Ray forced his son into his rental car and made him follow his mother’s SUV, which headed south into West Palm Beach. With a gun pointed at her head, Jamie drove the SUV while their 10-year-old son was in the back seat. The terrifying ordeal continued until the parents stopped in a parking lot near a hotel, where Ray fatally shot Jamie in front of their children before speeding off in the rental car. This led to numerous 911 calls to the West Palm Beach police.
Despite the quick response from the police, Jamie was pronounced dead at the scene, while Ray was found about a quarter-mile away after he returned the car. He then took his own life as officers approached. The tragic incident left the Felix family and the community devastated, leading to an outpouring of tributes on social media platforms. Family, friends, coworkers, students, and even local community groups praised Jamie for her kind and humble demeanor, her love for sports, and her dedication to her students.
Jamie was remembered for her passion for University of Michigan sports, her coaching of basketball, and her ability to lift up her friends at every opportunity. Despite the tragic circumstances of her death, Jamie was celebrated for her kindness, compassion, loyalty, and sense of humor. The impact she had on those around her was evident through the heartfelt tributes shared online. The community mourned the loss of a dedicated teacher, mother, and friend, who will be remembered for her positive spirit and contagious laughter. The heartbreaking incident served as a reminder of the dangers of domestic violence and the need for support for victims in such situations.