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SPARC Contact:
Sexual and Physical Abuse Resource Center Judy Johns
P.O. Box 5099 Suite 93 (904) 377-5690
Gainesville, Fla. 32602-5099
(904) 377-5690
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 29 a tragedy occurred at the Sexual and Physical Abuse Resource
Center's emergency shelter. Around 7:05 p.m., Jack R. Battle, 42, broke a window
at the shelter and entered the facility. Battle was looking for his wife, Anne, 36, who
was living at the shelter. Battle found his wife in the living room of the facility and
shot her in the head with the handgun he was carrying.
The shelter employee on duty was alerted when she heard Anne Battle
screaming and the shot that ensued. The employee ran to investigate the situation,
but Battle had already left the facility and was getting in his car to leave the
grounds. The employee observed Battle's vehicle and then ran to call the police
and an ambulance for Anne Battle.
Battle was apprehended by Alachua County Sheriff's deputies on Newberry
Road shortly after the call was received. Battle was taken into custody by the
deputies.
SPARC, in response to this tragedy, called a press conference of the local
media and explained the situation. SPARC stressed to the media the need to keep
the location of the shelter undisclosed to protect the women and children who use
the facilities.
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CRISIS
Measures were taken by SPARC to increase the existing security surrounding
the shelter. SPARC intends to maintain normal operating procedures to meet the
needs of the community.
The health and well-being of Anne Battle are a concern of SPARC. Presently
Anne is in critical condition at an undisclosed hospital. Her doctor reports that
although her wound is serious and her condition remains critical, her prognosis is
good.
"We are very concerned about Anne and hope for her full recovery. The
breach of security at the shelter facility is troubling to all of us at SPARC. We hope,
with the support of the community and the media, to be able to re-establish
SPARC's emergency shelter as a safe place for women and children in need," says
Executive Director Mary Nutter.
STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES
After the recent tragedy involving the shooting of Anne Battle at SPARC's
emergency shelter, SPARC's primary objective is to increase the security
surrounding the shelter. By increasing the security surrounding the shelter and
protecting its undisclosed location, SPARC hopes to re-establish the shelter as a safe
place for the women and children in need of its services. SPARC intends to
maintain normal operating procedures and services to meet the community's needs.
SPARC is also taking measures to protect the location of Anne Battle to protect her
privacy and to insure her uninterrupted treatment. Any questions concerning her
treatment and her condition can be referred to SPARC's offices. We hope for a full
recovery for Anne and are saddened by this tragedy.
We at SPARC are also interested in the expedient charge and prosecution of Jack
Battle. This is just one tragic example of the violence against women and children
that takes place daily across the country.
SAMPLE HOLDING STATEMENT
We at SPARC are very concerned and upset about the recent tragedy at our
emergency shelter. We are concerned with the welfare of Anne Battle and hope for
her full recovery. Presently the doctor reports her condition as critical and says it is
too soon to predict the outcome of her injury.
We hope to maintain the relative privacy and security of our emergency shelter for
the welfare of the women and children who need the facility. The secrecy
surrounding the location of the shelter is to provide shelter residents with privacy
and seclusion to deal with their problems and confront their needs without fear of
further violence.
SPARC plans to increase the security surrounding the shelter through various means
available to re-establish the shelter as a safe place for the women and children who
need its services.
We at SPARC hope for the expedient prosecution of Jack Battle. Violence of any
means against women and children should not be tolerated.
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