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Man arrested in connection with woman's shooting death at motel near OIA

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A 26-year-old man fatally shot a 26-year-old woman Friday evening at a motel near Orlando International Airport, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said.

Deputies said they discovered the body of Jessica Burnette shortly after 8:30 p.m. in a room at the Econolodge motel at McCoy and South Conway roads.

Investigators said they arrested Eric Rossman at a bus stop at Hoffner Avenue and South Semoran Boulevard on charges of second-degree murder.

Deputies said Rossman and Burnette knew one another.

Burnette’s mother, Denise Asbury, said she’s devastated and doesn’t know why someone would want to kill her daughter.

“She was funny. She loved to have fun. Everybody around her had fun,” said Asbury.

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Burnette leaves behind a 7-year-old son.

“He’s doing OK, as my other granddaughter is keeping him occupied,” said Asbury.

According to an arrest report, the suspect shot Burnette in the head during a fight.

It said Rossman was seen on surveillance video fleeing the motel. It also said that Rossman told detectives that he pulled the trigger.

“I’ve never heard his name or anything, so it was like, where did he come from?” said Asbury.

It’s not known what Burnette and Rossman were fighting about before the shooting.

Investigators said the room in which Burnette's body was discovered was registered to her and two others.

A judge denied Rossman bail during a Sunday morning hearing.

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