A North Carolina woman has been sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for shooting and killing her boyfriend during a fight linked to a custody dispute. The case has shocked the community and serves as a tragic example of how emotional conflicts can turn deadly.
Woman Sentenced for Killing Boyfriend in Custody Dispute
Jessica Barnes Ferland, a 41-year-old woman from North Carolina, will spend 125 to 157 months (over 10 years) in prison for the 2024 shooting death of her boyfriend, 26-year-old Jaquan Devaughen Bowen. The sentence was given by Judge Jacqueline Grant at the Buncombe County Superior Court after Ferland pleaded guilty to second-degree murder as part of a plea deal.
Originally, Ferland faced a charge of first-degree murder, but prosecutors agreed to a reduced charge after discussions with the victim’s family.
What Happened on the Night of the Shooting
On the early morning of October 3, 2024, around 12:34 a.m., Asheville Police responded to a report of a shooting in the 100 block of Laurel Loop in West Asheville, roughly 125 miles from Charlotte.
When officers arrived, they found Bowen with a gunshot wound to his temple. Ferland, who was still at the scene, was trying to stop the bleeding using paper towels. Emergency responders quickly started life-saving efforts and rushed Bowen to Mission Hospital with critical injuries.
Sadly, Bowen passed away the next day due to the severity of the wound.
The Argument That Turned Deadly
Investigators later revealed that the shooting happened during an argument between Ferland and Bowen. The couple had been drinking, and tensions rose over a legal battle involving Ferland’s children.
Bowen had written an affidavit supporting Ferland’s ex-husband in a custody case, which questioned Ferland’s parenting. This upset Ferland deeply. In a moment of anger, she picked up a .22-caliber pistol and pointed it at Bowen’s head.
The first time she pulled the trigger, the gun didn’t fire—what’s known as a “dry fire.” Bowen reportedly shrugged, not taking the threat seriously. But Ferland pulled the trigger again, and this time the gun went off, shooting him in the temple.
What Ferland Told Police
After the shooting, Ferland called 911 and stayed at the house until the police arrived. In her interview with detectives, she claimed the shooting was accidental. She said she didn’t mean to kill Bowen—she only wanted him to understand her pain over losing custody of her children.
Her lawyer, Sam Snead, argued that Ferland didn’t believe the old revolver was loaded and thought it wouldn’t fire. He added that her emotional state at the time was fragile and full of grief.
Final Outcome and Sentence
Bowen’s family was consulted before prosecutors agreed to a plea deal. Ferland was then sentenced to between 125 and 157 months in prison for second-degree murder.
The case is a painful reminder of how personal struggles and heated emotions can lead to life-changing consequences.
