A woman with deep roots in Grovetown and Evans High School is being remembered as authorities in Florida continue searching for the former Columbia County man wanted in connection with her death.
Tara Shaw, 22, grew up in Grovetown and graduated from Evans High School before serving in the U.S. Navy. After being honorably discharged, she settled in Jacksonville, Florida, while staying closely connected to her hometown community.
Shaw was killed just before midnight on May 17 in Jacksonville Beach. According to police, she was a passenger on a motorcycle driven by 30-year-old Robin Nikolas McAlarney, who also attended Evans High School and has longstanding ties to both Columbia and Richmond counties.
Investigators say McAlarney was driving with a blood-alcohol level of 0.14 and had illicit drugs in his system. He was reportedly speeding, splitting lanes, and running red lights when the motorcycle struck a vehicle making a U-turn. Shaw died from her injuries less than an hour later. McAlarney survived, underwent surgeries and rehabilitation, and later disappeared.
On Nov. 7, the Jacksonville Beach Police Department announced that arrest warrants had been issued for McAlarney on charges of DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide. Authorities said that efforts to locate him have been unsuccessful. Police released the only available photo of McAlarney, noting that he has since obtained multiple tattoos that may alter his appearance. (Story continues below.)
State prison records show McAlarney served four separate prison sentences in Georgia between 2014 and 2020 for offenses in Richmond and Columbia counties, including aggravated battery, terroristic threats, theft by taking, and criminal damage to property.
Amber Gross, a friend of the victim, said Tara’s character was unmistakable to anyone who knew her. “She radiated love,” Gross said. “All she ever wanted was a happy life. She never hurt a fly.”
Gross added that Tara believed McAlarney was simply a familiar face from home. “She had no idea what a terrible person he was,” she said. “She thought he was her friend.”
The Jacksonville Beach Police Department is asking anyone with information about McAlarney’s whereabouts to contact local law enforcement or First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS (8477). Tips may be submitted anonymously at firstcoastcrimestoppers.com.
Friends and family in Columbia County continue to seek justice for Shaw and hope that someone with information will come forward.
