Man Charged with Murder After Deadly Shooting Near Silverleaf Construction Site in St. Johns County

A man has been arrested and charged with murder after a shooting at a construction site in St. Johns County left one person dead and two others injured, according to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities say the incident occurred Wednesday afternoon near Crimson Leaf Drive and Johns Island Parkway in the Silverleaf area.

According to investigators, the shooting began shortly before 4:30 p.m. after an argument broke out between construction workers who were building a roadway in the area.

Officials say the suspect, identified as 20-year-old Yovany Lopez Cobo, allegedly pulled out a firearm and opened fire on three coworkers during the dispute.

Authorities reported that:

• One victim was shot multiple times and died at the scene
• Two other victims were injured and transported to local hospitals
• Both surviving victims are expected to recover

After the shooting, the suspect reportedly fled the area with his brother in a vehicle.

Law enforcement later located the vehicle traveling westbound on State Road 206 and stopped it at a Love’s Travel Stop, where both individuals were detained.

Following the investigation, authorities announced that Lopez Cobo has been charged with second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder.

Officials have not yet released the identity of the deceased victim as authorities work to notify family members.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Construction sites can involve high-stress working conditions, and disputes between workers sometimes escalate into serious conflicts.

However, incidents involving deadly violence remain rare.

Workplace shootings may occur due to:

• Personal disputes between coworkers
• Escalating verbal arguments
• Access to firearms at the job site
• Lack of conflict intervention or supervision

Employers and contractors are expected to maintain reasonably safe working environments for employees.

Potential Legal Liability After Workplace Shootings

When a violent incident occurs at a workplace or construction site, investigators may examine whether negligence contributed to the situation.

Potential liability issues may include:

• Failure to address prior threats or disputes
• Lack of workplace safety policies
• Failure to remove dangerous individuals from the job site
• Inadequate supervision or security

Depending on the circumstances, construction companies, contractors, or property owners could face civil liability if they failed to take reasonable steps to protect workers from foreseeable violence.

Legal Options for Victims and Families

Victims of workplace violence — and families of those killed — may have the right to pursue compensation through:

• Workers’ compensation benefits
• Wrongful death claims
• Negligent security or workplace safety claims

Compensation in these cases may include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income and future earning capacity
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of companionship and support
• Emotional pain and suffering

Determining liability often requires reviewing workplace policies, prior incidents, witness statements, and law enforcement records.

The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the deadly shooting near the Silverleaf construction site.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a similar workplace incident, contact our office today for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights and options.