A 19-year-old man allegedly shot and killed his wife inside a hospital room just hours after she gave birth to their first child, before turning the gun on himself in what authorities have described as an apparent domestic murder-suicide.
The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. on Sunday at Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital. Police say Kynath Terry Jr. opened fire on his 24-year-old wife, Precious Johnson, shortly after she delivered a healthy baby. He then shot himself. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
According to the Homewood Police Department, the shooting appears to be domestic in nature. Authorities confirmed that Terry and Johnson were the only individuals injured during the incident. It remains unclear whether the newborn was present in the hospital room at the time of the shooting.
Local station WTVM 13 reported that following the gunfire, the hospital was immediately placed on lockdown as officers responded. The precautionary lockdown remained in effect for several hours until officials determined there was no ongoing threat to patients, staff, or visitors.
Family members revealed that the couple had reportedly been experiencing marital problems in the weeks leading up to the birth. Terry’s mother told local media she never believed the disagreements would escalate into violence. She also noted that her son had recently completed training with the Army National Guard prior to his marriage.
The tragic event has shocked the local community, particularly given that it occurred in what is typically regarded as a secure and celebratory hospital setting.
Danne Howard, president of the Alabama Hospital Association, described the shooting as an isolated incident and said the hospital would conduct a full review of its security procedures as part of a mandatory after-action assessment.
Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the shooting are ongoing.