Fundraiser for shooting victim and mother of 5

Editor's note: If you are a victim of domestic violence, call or text the National Domestic Violence Hotline (call 1-800-799-7233; text 88788) or the Safe Harbour Domestic Violence Shelter at 419-626-2200. SANDUSKY — A fundraiser seeks to help the family of a Sandusky woman fatally shot inside her home Wednesday evening. Family and friends of Ralonda Perry-Watkins, 32, of Sandusky, who was known as "Snookie" to many, took to social media to share condolences and fond memories of the mother of five. Perry-Watkins' older sister, Anita Perry, created the GoFundMe on Thursday evening and set a $15,000 goal. As of Friday afternoon, the GoFundMe has raised more than $600 of its $15,000 goal. Family members identified Perry-Watkins as the victim of Wednesday's shooting. Police did not publicly identify the victim due to state law. Jerry L. Watkins III, 37, of Sandusky, was arrested after an armed standoff in the 700 block of Sycamore St. and charged with one count of murder. He remains incarcerated at the Erie County Jail. Court records indicated that Watkins had an arraignment on Thursday, but did not state if he entered a plea at this hearing. A 'devoted mother, entrepreneur' Perry wrote that her sister, Ralonda, was killed during a domestic dispute that occurred in front of four of her five daughters. Perry identified Watkins as Ralonda's husband. "I have stepped in to care for my nieces. It was always my sister's wish, and it is the girls' wish, that they remain together," Perry wrote. "I am doing everything I can to honor that promise, but the emotional, legal and financial weight of this tragedy is overwhelming." The money raised will support the long-term care of Perry-Watkins' five daughters — ages 15, 13, 12, 10 and 6 — which includes mental health support and trauma counseling, as well as legal and custody-related costs. "Ralonda was the kind of woman who poured love into everything she did. She loved cooking, doing hair, singing, rapping, dancing and above all — smiling," Perry wrote. "She was always helping someone, whether she had much or not. But the role she cherished most was being a mommy to her girls." Want to donate? Search for "Help Ralonda's Daughters Heal and Stay Together" on gofundme.com.