South Jersey man killed his estranged wife at her workplace, authorities say
After shooting and killing Victoria Alexander, authorities said, Brandon Alexander, 35, fatally shot himself.
A man shot and killed his estranged wife early Monday at the Jersey Shore medical center where she worked as a nurse, authorities said.
Brandon Alexander, 35, arrived before dawn at the ExcelCare in Egg Harbor Township and lay in wait in the parking lot until his wife, Victoria, arrived for her shift, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.
He then used his car to block her path, climbed into her vehicle, and placed two suicide notes on the dashboard, prosecutors said.
A food truck driver in the parking lot asked Alexander to move his car, authorities said, and Victoria Alexander seized the moment to flee.
Alexander chased her into the nursing home and rehabilitation facility and shot her multiple times near the entrance, prosecutors said, before turning the gun on himself.
Victoria Alexander, 38, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her husband was taken to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center’s City Division, where he died early Tuesday, authorities said.
Victoria Alexander was a licensed practical nurse who had worked at the facility for six months as a “hands-on caregiver,” said Ken Hunter, a spokesperson for ExcelCare. The facility houses about 120 residents.
Hunter said neither staff nor residents witnesses saw the shooting, though several heard the gunfire. The building was placed on full lockdown, he said. Trauma professionals met with staff and residents on Monday, he said, and will remain available as needed.
Colleagues described Victoria Alexander, who went by Vicki, as a compassionate and attentive presence for residents. Michelle Johnson, ExcelCare’s nursing director, said she was “an excellent nurse” who was known as “being very comforting and kindhearted.”
“She was loved by all,” Johnson said. She often asked residents about their lives, she said, and listened intently to stories about their lives and families.
“You know how some people find a ‘calling’ in their work?” Johnson said. “Vicki was definitely one of those people, finding immense satisfaction in caring for senior citizens.”