A 20-year-old Michigan college student was shot and killed by her ex-boyfriend in what police are calling a murder-suicide, according to the New York Post.
Sarah Carroll was fatally gunned down Saturday at the Woodland Villa Apartments near Detroit. Authorities said her ex-boyfriend, identified only as Lincoln, called police after shooting her before turning the gun on himself.
Carroll’s mother, Jennifer Carroll, told the outlet that her daughter had been harassed and stalked by Lincoln for months and was in the process of seeking a personal protection order against him before the tragedy.
Westland police confirmed the case is being investigated as a murder-suicide.
“She was with Lincoln, her ex-boyfriend, for almost a year and they were having trouble,” her mom told Fox 2.
“He was stalking her for the past two months. And he came here last night, shot her, called 911, said he killed his girlfriend, and then shot himself.”
Her grieving mother said Carroll never told her or her father about the stalking before the tragedy. She urged other parents to stay closely involved in their children’s lives and encourage open conversations to help protect them.
James Carroll, Sarah’s Father, attributed the murder to mental illness.
He said it is important “If their children are suffering from mental illness, to get them some help. Get them the help that they need before something like this happens.”
Before the tragedy, Sarah was a student at Schoolcraft College with the future goal of becoming a physician assistant.
A GoFundMe campaign described Sarah as vibrant, intelligent, and courageous, with a smile that could brighten any room. She was just starting out in life, and her loss at such a young age is a pain no family should ever endure.
The fundraiser is seeking support to cover funeral costs, allowing her loved ones to honor her memory and lay her to rest with the dignity and love she deserves.
The Westland Police Department announced that more information about the murder-suicide will be shared later this week.
