‘I don’t know if I want to kill him or myself first’: Former teacher shoots ex-boyfriend hours after he gets a restraining order, police say

A South Carolina woman reportedly took her own life after she shot her ex-boyfriend, who was recently granted a restraining order against her.

Jennifer Rudemyer, 39, reportedly turned the gun on herself after shooting Dr. Gatson Perez, 60, four to five times outside his Spanish Wells Plantation home on Tuesday. Rudemyer died at the scene while Perez is being hospitalized in stable condition, according to The Island Packet.

Perez’s son told the outlet that his father was shot in the chest, hand, and near his face as he shielded himself from the barrage of bullets.

The pair had reportedly dated on and off since 2010. A friend of the late teacher, Lauren Church, told the newspaper that she submitted a tip to CrimeStoppers on August 28, after Rudemyer revealed to her that she purchased a gun and intended to kill Perez.

Church claimed she urged Rudemyer to get help “many, many, many times.”

A report acquired by The Island Packet stated Bluffton police conducted a welfare check at Rudemyer’s home on August 28 after another friend, from New Jersey, said that Rudemyer was considering buying a gun.

“I don’t know if I want to kill him or myself first,” Rudemyer reportedly told the friend.

Police indicated that they made contact with Rudemyer and she voluntarily admitted herself into the hospital. However, the report doesn’t include any details regarding the hospital visit.

The local newspaper also obtained text messages Rudemyer apparently sent to Perez in August. In them, Rudemyer allegedly threatens her ex, telling him, “I’ll shoot you before you get in the front door,” in reference to the new house he purchased.

On August 17, police arrived at Perez’s home following reports that Rudemyer was intoxicated in his garage and was continuing to harass Perez. While Perez told police that he wanted to issue a trespass order, he also said he was waiting for a restraining order to be finalized, a report said.

Bluffton Magistrate Court administrator Stephanie Garst revealed that Perez was granted a restraining order against Rudemyer hours before the fatal shooting.

Police reportedly located the gun at the scene and are working to ascertain where Rudemyer got it.

 

[Featured image: Jennifer Rudemyer, Gaston Perez/Facebook]