Audrey Petersen, a 61-year-old woman from Clearwater, Florida, was tragically killed on February 9, 2024, in a domestic violence incident. Two days prior to her death, Petersen had filed a petition for a temporary injunction seeking protection from her ex-boyfriend, identified as Scoza. In her petition, Petersen detailed a series of threatening and unsettling interactions with Scoza, including verbal abuse and menacing text messages.
She mentioned that Scoza had handguns in his condo and possibly in his car, and that he had been stalking her, waiting in her driveway, and letting himself into her house using a combination lock.
Despite her pleas for protection, Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Doneene Loar denied Petersen’s request for a temporary injunction. A hearing was scheduled for February 20, but it was too late. On the evening of February 9, Scoza forced his way into Petersen’s home on the 2300 block of Hillcreek Circle East in the Countryside area of Clearwater. As Petersen fled to a neighbor’s house, Scoza shot her multiple times. He then shot and killed himself in the same neighbor’s yard.
Petersen had repeatedly contacted the police about Scoza’s behavior, filing reports on February 2, 3, and 7. Police had warned Scoza not to contact her or drive by her home, but these measures did not prevent the tragic outcome. Petersen’s colleagues and friends described her as a caring and diligent person who always looked out for others, and she had confided in them about her fears regarding Scoza’s actions.
The incident has sparked controversy, with Republican U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna calling for Judge Loar’s resignation, citing Loar’s handling of Petersen’s case and a previous case involving Luna herself. Luna argued that Loar’s rulings were flawed and had failed victims of domestic violence. The court administration responded that Loar could not legally grant the injunction due to insufficient information in Petersen’s petition. However, the tragedy highlights the urgent need for effective measures to protect victims of domestic violence.
