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Woman shot at while pulling out of FSCJ speaks out

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- At Florida State College Jacksonville students, faculty and community members are reeling following a shooting on campus. Police say two people were shot at as they left class Thursday night. The suspected shooter, Maxwell Martin appeared in court Friday afternoon.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- At Florida State College Jacksonville students, faculty and community members are reeling following a shooting on campus. Police say two people were shot at as they left class Thursday night. The suspected shooter, Maxwell Martin appeared in court Friday afternoon.

He's now charged with two counts of attempted murder. An 18 year old man, Yanes Rodriguez is recovering after a bullet pierced through his left arm Thursday before 9 p.m. at the Deerwood Center. First Coast News Anchor Keitha Nelson spoke with the second victim whose quick thinking possibly saved her life.

Mirle De Oliveira is Portuguese. She's not able to speak much English but the terror she experienced after leaving class Thursday could easily be understood in any language.

There's now a bullet hole in the rear window of her car. That bullet ripped through her friend's arm and into the glove compartment.

With a translator nearby, De Oliveira relived the moments before police say a stranger, Martin approached with a gun in hand and fired at the two FSCJ students.

"Muy nervous," said De Oliveira.

Translator: She said that she's very nervous. She's very scared right now. She said the guy was pointing the gun at their heads pretty much. So she's just really in shock and terrified right now.

Already in her car with friend, Rodriguez, De Oliveira stepped on the gas rushing to escape a scene that felt surreal.

Translator: She's saying that she has two kids and it was a terrifying moment not knowing if she was going to see them again. Just a very scary night.

Rodriguez was shot in the left arm, the two made it across the street and called 911. Just a couple of blocks away, at Auburn Glen Apartments police soon found Martin, he was identified and arrested.

At the Deerwood Center off Old Baymeadows Road students Friday were stunned by the news.

"It's crazy hearing about two people getting shot in a safe area like this," said Tyler Preston. "Thank God they got away and they're alive."

According to FSCJ, Martin was never a student there. An exact motive has not yet been released.

FSCJ released this statement:

"We are deeply concerned about the incident that occurred at our Open Campus/ Deerwood Center last evening. We take this tragic event very seriously, given we hold the safety and security of our students and employees as our number one priority. We learned of a shooting and possible suspect in the area near our campus about 8:50 p.m. when the off-duty JSO officer working for FSCJ on campus notified our security team. Our security team took immediate action to ensure the safety of our students and faculty who were still in classes on campus. Following our emergency protocol, the campus was placed on total lockdown. We will continue to work diligently with JSO throughout the investigation. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and we stand ready to assist them in any manner we can. We want to assure you, our students, faculty, staff and the community that we are doing everything possible to protect the safety of the FSCJ community."

- Dr. Cynthia A. Bioteau/ FSCJ President

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