A U.S. Navy sailor assigned to Naval Air Station Jacksonville has been charged in the fatal shooting of two roommates who were also active-duty sailors, according to local law enforcement. The case is moving forward in Florida’s civilian court system and has drawn attention because all three individuals involved were servicemembers living off base.
Suspect and Victims
Clay County Sheriff’s deputies identified the suspect as Taylor Marques Lomax, 22. Lomax faces two counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of 21-year-old Noely Makenda and 20-year-old Jordyn Forrestier. Both victims were active-duty sailors and shared a residence with Lomax in Orange Park.
Lomax was taken into custody without bond and is being held at the Clay County Jail. The charges were filed under Florida law, and the case is being prosecuted by civilian authorities rather than through the military justice system at this stage.
What Investigators Say Happened
According to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded late Wednesday night to reports of a shooting at a home on Hanging Moss Drive in Orange Park, FL. Investigators allege an argument occurred outside the residence involving Lomax’s wife and the two victims before escalating into a physical confrontation.
Authorities allege Lomax retrieved a handgun during the confrontation and fired more than 30 rounds. Both Makenda and Forrestier were struck multiple times and were pronounced dead at the scene by first responders. Investigators have not publicly identified a motive.
Wife’s Account
Following Lomax’s arrest, his wife spoke with local television outlets and offered a different account of the events. She said the two women attacked her during the argument and claimed they “started jumping me” before Lomax fired the gun. She characterized his actions as an attempt to protect her.
Law enforcement officials have not publicly corroborated her account, and no determination has been announced regarding whether the Florida self-defense law applies. Investigators have emphasized that the homicide investigation remains active.
Why the Case Is in a Civilian Court
Although all three individuals were active duty sailors, the alleged shootings occurred off base and did not involve military duties. Under those circumstances, state and local authorities typically take primary jurisdiction, particularly for serious violent crimes such as homicide. Civilian courts routinely prosecute servicemembers for off-base conduct that violates state law.
The Navy has not released a public statement regarding Lomax’s service status or whether any administrative actions are pending while the civilian case proceeds.
How Civilian and Military Law Can Overlap
Active duty servicemembers are subject to both civilian criminal law and the Uniform Code of Military Justice at the same time. Civilian law applies based on where conduct occurs, while the UCMJ applies based on military status and is designed to maintain good order and discipline within the armed forces.
A recurring question in cases like this is whether a servicemember can be prosecuted in both systems for the same incident. Under Article 44 of the UCMJ, servicemembers are protected against being tried twice for the same offense once jeopardy attaches in a military court. Civilian double-jeopardy protections similarly prevent repeated prosecution for the same offense under the same sovereign.
At the same time, courts recognize that civilian authorities and the military derive their authority from different sources. As a result, the same underlying conduct can implicate both systems, particularly when the offenses charged are legally distinct. In practice, however, the military often avoids pursuing court-martial charges for serious off-base violent crimes that are already being handled by civilian prosecutors.
Instead, military commands often rely on administrative measures, such as separation proceedings or other personnel actions, which are not criminal prosecutions and do not implicate double-jeopardy rules.
What Comes Next
Second-degree murder under Florida law alleges an unlawful killing without premeditation but involving an act imminently dangerous to another. Lomax’s case will proceed through the state court system, including pretrial hearings and potential trial proceedings, as investigators continue to review evidence and witness statements.
Any military action will likely depend on the outcome of the civilian case and command determinations related to discipline and service suitability. No such actions have been publicly confirmed as of this writing.
