Amanda Janzen: Florida mom of 5 injures ex-BF, fatally shoots his new girlfriend during child custody exchange

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA: Amanda Maria Janzen, 38, was apprehended in Alachua after allegedly killing a woman and injuring a man at Gainesville Walgreens during a child custody exchange.

As per the arrest report from the Gainesville Police Department (GPD), Janzen and the male victim had been in a relationship since September 2021, and they share an 11-month-old child.

However, following the birth of the baby, Janzen developed suspicion that her baby’s father had an affair with the female victim for an extended period.

Janzen purportedly informed the female victim's husband about the alleged affair. Subsequently, a few weeks later, the baby’s father initiated legal proceedings in Putnam County, seeking custody of the child as per Law&Crime.

Amanda Maria Janzen shoots ex-BF and his new girlfriend

In context, on December 20, a court mandated that Janzen and the baby’s father share custody equally, with an agreement for Janzen to hand over the baby at Walgreens located at 3909 NW 13th Street at 2 pm on Christmas Day.

Following this court order, Janzen purportedly drove from her residence in Alachua to the Walgreens, accompanied by her five children.

En route, she reportedly made a stop at a nearby store, handing her eldest son her debit card, food stamp card, and instructions to pay his cell phone bill. According to her son, this was an unusual action.

Upon arriving at the Walgreens, Janzen, still in her car, allegedly retrieved a gun from her bag.

The victims arrived subsequently, with the woman driving and the man in the front passenger seat. The man exited the car, and Janzen, holding the gun behind her back, approached the driver’s side.

Reportedly, Janzen fired three shots at the female victim, then circled around the back of the car toward the passenger side.

The male victim reportedly jumped into the car before Janzen allegedly shot him three times. While shooting, Janzen allegedly uttered, "You made this happen!"

The incident was purportedly captured on surveillance video at the store.

The female victim died while the condition of the male victim has not been disclosed publicly.

Amanda Janzen calls 911

According to Law&Crime, Janzen returned to her vehicle and swiftly drove northbound on NW 13th Street at a high speed.

 A nearby GPD officer, having heard the gunshots, observed Janzen's car leaving the Walgreens. 

Subsequently, GPD officers, along with Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputies and Alachua Police Department officers pursued Janzen for a distance of 13 miles. According to police, her five children were also in the vehicle as it reached speeds of up to 100 mph.

While being pursued, Janzen allegedly called 911, confessing to having shot two individuals. She told a dispatcher that she was being followed by police. Her children were reportedly pleading her to pull over.

Janzen was apprehended near the Taco Bell in Alachua, where officers reportedly found a discarded firearm. A search yielded in the recovery of two additional loaded magazines.

Following the Miranda rights advisory, Janzen purportedly stated that the police were already aware of the events as they had reviewed surveillance footage.

Janzen faces charges of first-degree homicide, attempted first-degree homicide, and five counts of child neglect without great bodily harm. 

While an initial arrest report included a charge of fleeing, it was later crossed out. 

Janzen's criminal history revealed convictions for passing worthless checks in 2004 and assault and resisting arrest in 2005. Judge Thomas Jaworski set bail at $2 million.