Lehigh County, PA – Authorities have identified Jessica Gracia as the suspect in an armed break-in that led to a fatal shooting early Thursday morning in Upper Saucon Township.
According to police, Gracia forcibly entered a home on West Hopewell Road while armed with a firearm, opening fire before ultimately taking her own life. Investigators have not yet determined a motive for the violent incident.
Further inquiries revealed that Gracia was the owner of Olivia’s Family Daycare, a 24/7 childcare facility operating out of a home on Washington Avenue in Northampton Borough. Property records indicate that she had purchased the residence in the 1900 block of Washington Avenue on New Year’s Eve.
Neighbors reported that the house had recently been on the market and sold, with one resident stating they only became aware of the daycare’s presence two weeks ago after observing children being dropped off and picked up by adults.
A former owner of the Washington Avenue property disclosed that Gracia had mentioned running a business from the residence during the sale process. At the time of the purchase, Gracia was also a single parent to her 19-month-old daughter.
Despite these developments, authorities have not provided further details regarding Gracia’s connection to the residents of the targeted home or what may have led to the violent break-in.
The investigation remains ongoing, and police have not released additional details at this time.