SANTA ROSA COUNTY, FL — A quiet neighborhood in Santa Rosa County was shattered by gunfire on the evening of August 1, 2025, as deputies responded to a call that would soon unfold into a tragic case of domestic violence and loss. The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that Barbara Dedert, 41, was found deceased at the scene of a shooting on Pinto Avenue, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.

Deputies were dispatched to the residence shortly after the initial 911 call was placed. When they arrived, they located Dedert inside the home, already unresponsive. Paramedics quickly arrived on scene but were unable to revive her. She was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

The residence was immediately secured, and the Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit was called in to lead the investigation. Detectives worked well into the night, interviewing witnesses, processing the scene, and collecting physical evidence to determine the circumstances leading up to the fatal shooting.

Following several hours of investigation, Curtis Marvin Johnson, 47, was identified as the suspect and taken into custody without incident. Johnson has been charged with Second-Degree Murder and is currently being held at the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond, pending a first court appearance.

Authorities have not yet released details on the nature of the relationship between Johnson and Dedert, though sources indicate the two were known to each other. The motive behind the shooting remains under investigation, and detectives have not ruled out the possibility of additional charges as the case develops.

The Sheriff’s Office has labeled the investigation as active and ongoing, and officials are urging anyone with further information about the incident—or the events leading up to it—to contact the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit. They also encourage local residents in the area of Pinto Avenue to review any home surveillance footage from the evening of August 1 that may have captured suspicious activity.

The killing of Barbara Dedert has left friends, family members, and neighbors devastated. Social media has since become flooded with messages of shock and sorrow, as those who knew her remember her as a caring, compassionate woman who loved her family and community.

“She didn’t deserve this,” wrote one friend. “Barbara was the kind of person who would do anything for someone she loved. To know that she’s gone—and in such a violent way—is almost unbearable.”

Grief counselors are being made available for family members, and local organizations that support victims of domestic violence are also offering their resources to the community in light of the tragedy.

Sheriff Bob Johnson issued a brief statement expressing condolences to Dedert’s loved ones:

“This is a heartbreaking and senseless act of violence that has taken the life of a member of our community. Our hearts go out to the victim’s family and friends. We will continue working diligently to ensure justice is served.”

As investigators work to finalize the facts surrounding this tragic case, many in Santa Rosa County are left to mourn the sudden and violent loss of a life taken far too soon. A mother, a friend, and a neighbor—Barbara Dedert is being remembered not for the tragic way she died, but for the strength and kindness she showed in life.

Further details will be made available by law enforcement as the investigation continues and court proceedings begin in the coming days.