Merry Christmas wreaths, festive lawn ornaments and other cheery holiday decorations adorning homes were stark contrast Saturday to the sorrow and disbelief of residents still in shock by the shooting of an elderly neighbor and arrest of her daughter in the case.

Louise Marie Luning, 56, is accused of shooting her 72-year-old mother, Louise Marie Russo. She also is accused of trying to shoot one of her mother’s friends during the incident about 1 p.m. Friday at the Russo family home in the 11100 block of Lord Taylor Drive.

The friend told two television news stations Russo had been shot in the face. If the gun hadn’t jammed three times, the friend said she, too, would have been shot.

Information about Russo’s condition wasn’t available Saturday.

Debbie and Les Cross said their grandchildren – ages 3 and 1 – were visiting them when the shooting occurred. Pulling the youngsters in a wagon, Debbie Cross walked past the Russo home about 15 minutes before gunfire erupted, she said.

"Thank God, it didn’t happen when we were out there. These kids, 3 and 1, wouldn’t have understood," she said.

The couple said they didn’t know Russo or Luning, but had seen the elder woman once before at a yard sale in the neighborhood.

"We’re hoping she’s going to be okay," Les Cross said.

The couple has lived in the neighborhood five years.

"It’s always been a very quiet neighborhood. This is all very strange," Les Cross said. The couple didn

Police escorted the couple’s son to pick up the children at the Cross home. Officers also gave the children treats so they wouldn’t be scared, Debbie Cross said.

Luning is charged with two counts of attempted murder. She is being held without bail at the Duval County jail, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office records show.

The Sheriff’s Office has released little information about the shooting at the home in the Sutton Lakes subdivision in the Sandalwood neighborhood off Atlantic Boulevard.

Russo owns the house where the shooting occurred, according to Duval County property records.

Luning received four months probation and was ordered to take anger management courses after being arrested for battery in 1992, court records show.

Teresa Stepzinski: (904) 359-4075