Former Branford Volunteer Firefighter Shot, Killed In Florida

BRANFORD, CT - Caroline Schollaert, 27, was a member of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron. While she was stationed in New Haven and living in Branford from around 2014 to 2017, she spent those three years as a volunteer firefighter/EMT with the Indian Neck/Pine Orchard Volunteer Fire Co. 9.

Schollaert, who was transferred to Florida, was shot and killed at her home in Jacksonville last week, police said, by a man breaking into her car.

Tuesday, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office announced an arrest was made. Tyree Parker, 22, turned himself in and was charged with second-degree murder.

According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, in the early morning hours of Aug. 3, she called to report that a person was “actively burglarizing her vehicle.”

While on the phone with dispatchers, the sheriff’s office said Schollaert “confronted the suspect, held him at gunpoint and ordered him to remain until police arrived. Unfortunately, the suspect refused to comply or surrender. Instead, he fired several shots from a handgun, striking the victim.”

Schollaert, who is originally from Virginia, is being mourned by members of the Branford volunteer fire company.

In a Facebook post last week, Indian Neck/Pine Orchard Volunteer Fire Co. 9 described her as a "great" person and friend to many.

"Caroline was an active member of Company 9 while stationed in New Haven County. She was an absolute great person. She was always up for a challenge and ready to learn more. Most importantly, she was a great friend to many. May you rest easy Caroline, you will be greatly missed."

Fire company Capt. Chris Gagliardi told Patch in a brief phone interview that while part of the fire house, Schollaert, "definitely made an impact."

"She was very involved with us, we all hung out not just for drills, but like family," he said.

Describing the camaraderie between members of a fire house, he said that Schollaert, in addition to handling calls, "always came with us" to events and details like road races, fairs, fireworks and the like.

"She just always volunteered her time. She was really down-to-earth and she always knew how to make people laugh," he said, adding the first responders she'd worked with are "heartbroken."

A GoFundMe had been created six days ago "Justice for Caroline" to help find her killer.

"On Tuesday, August 3rd we lost a beautiful soul. Caroline was a devoted daughter, loving fiance, fearless Coast Guard member, and incredible friend. She was taken from us far too early and in such a horrific way. Please help us bring peace to Caroline's family and all those who are heartbroken by her loss by identifying her attacker and bringing him to justice," the GoFundMe reads.

It also notes that First Coast Crime Stoppers and the Fraternal Order of Police Foundation offered a $9,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

The GoFundMe goal was $8,000. It has since raised more than $18,000.

GoFundMe is a Patch partner.