Teenage husband kills wife after childbirth, takes own life at US hospital

(L-R) Kynath Terry Jr and Precious Johnson Photo: New York Post

A 19-year-old man shot and killed his 24-year-old wife before turning the weapon on himself inside an Alabama hospital shortly after the couple welcomed their first child.

Authorities said Kynath Terry Jr. opened fire on Precious Johnson at Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital at about 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, according to WTVM 13. After shooting Johnson, he shot himself.

Johnson had just given birth to a healthy baby before the shooting occurred. Police said Terry and Johnson were the only people injured, and it remains unclear whether the newborn was in the room at the time.

Terry’s mother told the station the couple had been experiencing marital problems ahead of Johnson’s due date, though she never believed the issues would escalate into violence. She also said Terry had completed Army National Guard training before marrying Johnson.

According to her, Johnson did not want members of Terry’s family present at the hospital for the delivery. It is not known whether anyone from Johnson’s family was there.

Following reports of gunfire, the hospital was placed on lockdown “out of an abundance of caution” as officers responded to the scene. The restriction remained in place for several hours until officials determined there was “no active threat to patients, team members or the public,” the station reported.

The Homewood Police Department said the case appears to be “an apparent murder-suicide and is domestic in nature.”

President of the Alabama Hospital Association, Danne Howard, described the shooting as “an isolated incident” and said it was unlike anything she had seen in her 30 years working in the state’s healthcare system.

Howard added that Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital would review its security protocols and apply “lessons learned” from a required after-action report.

The tragic murder-suicide at Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital in Homewood, Alabama, on March 1, 2026, continues to unfold with new insights from friends and ongoing police investigation. Friends of Precious Elicia J’anae Johnson, 24, and her husband Kynath William Terry Jr., 19, have described their relationship as “under considerable strain recently,” painting a picture of mounting tensions in the young marriage just as the couple welcomed their first child.

The couple had been married and facing marital difficulties, according to family statements shared with media. Terry’s mother expressed profound shock and devastation, noting that while issues existed, nothing foreshadowed such extreme violence. Reports indicate disagreements may have included preferences around family presence during the delivery—Precious reportedly did not want Terry’s relatives at the hospital—and other unresolved conflicts typical in relationships navigating early parenthood, potential financial pressures, or emotional adjustments postpartum. No official motive has been released by the Homewood Police Department, which classifies the incident as a domestic-related murder-suicide.

In a significant investigative development, police are now reviewing a short recording of an unfinished call made from inside the hospital room on the fifth-floor Women’s Medical Center. This audio evidence—likely captured on a personal device, such as a phone during or immediately before the events around 9:25–9:30 p.m.—is being examined to reconstruct the final moments and interactions between Precious and Kynath. The recording’s abrupt end aligns with earlier family accounts of Precious’s last outreach to a relative, where she expressed a desire for calm so she could bring her newborn home. The call cut short without completion, leaving loved ones haunted by the sudden silence and the tragic irony of her plea for peace.

The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office confirmed Precious died from multiple gunshot wounds, while Terry died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. No other individuals were injured, and the newborn was not in the room during the shooting—ensuring the infant’s immediate safety. Hospital staff initiated a brief lockdown out of caution, but there was no ongoing threat to patients or the public. Baptist Health Brookwood has cooperated fully with authorities.

This case has intensified discussions on hospital security protocols in maternity and postpartum units, where emotional vulnerabilities are high and visitors (including spouses) often have access. Many facilities are reassessing screening measures for firearms and visitor policies in light of this rare but devastating incident inside a healthcare setting meant for healing and new life.

The orphaned newborn is now in the care of extended family, with community support emerging through vigils, fundraisers, and expressions of grief. Friends and family remember Precious as excited about motherhood and hopeful for the future, making the abrupt end to her unfinished call and the strained relationship all the more heartbreaking.

This tragedy underscores the urgent need for awareness around domestic violence, especially during major life transitions like childbirth. Warning signs—such as escalating arguments, withdrawal, or expressions of strain—can sometimes be subtle, but early intervention is critical. Resources include:

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or text “START” to 88788 for 24/7 confidential support.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Immediate help for emotional distress or crisis, available 24/7.
In Alabama: The Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence offers local resources and assistance.

As the Homewood Police Department continues its investigation—analyzing the unfinished call recording, witness statements, hospital security footage, and other evidence—the focus remains on understanding the sequence of events while supporting the surviving child and grieving loved ones.