Murder-suicide inside hospital raises security concerns

HOMEWOOD, Ala. (WBRC) – The Homewood Police Department is investigating a murder-suicide that happened inside Baptist Health Women’s Medical Center.

The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office said 24-year-old Precious Johnson was shot multiple times. Authorities said her husband, 19-year-old Kynath Terry Jr., then shot himself.

Officials confirmed the couple was married and that Johnson had recently given birth. Police have not released additional details about what led to the shooting.

Investigators said the violence happened Sunday night while Terry was visiting Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital.

The tragedy has sparked renewed concerns about hospital safety across Alabama.

Danne Howard, president and CEO of the Alabama Hospital Association, said hospitals work to protect patients, visitors, and staff while delivering care.

“There are a few places in our world where we should feel safe – at church, our hospitals, and our homes. Unfortunately, things happen and we do not feel safe anymore,” Howard said.

Howard said hospitals update safety plans every two years and participate in emergency preparedness exercises with public health officials.

“We want to assure the public that our hospitals and our health care providers consider safety just as important as providing quality health care,” she said.

There is no state mandate requiring hospitals in Alabama to employ security guards. However, Howard said most facilities have security measures in place. Some hospitals use metal detectors and additional screening procedures, depending on the facility.

As the investigation continues, Howard said the association will reassess hospital safety plans statewide to determine whether improvements are needed.

The devastating events at Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital in Homewood, Alabama, on March 1, 2026, have left a newborn child orphaned and a community reeling from an apparent domestic murder-suicide that unfolded just hours after what should have been a joyous occasion. Precious Elicia J’anae Johnson, 24, of Birmingham, had recently delivered a healthy baby—her first child with husband Kynath William Terry Jr., 19, of Midfield—when tragedy struck around 9:25–9:30 p.m. in the Women’s Medical Center on the hospital’s fifth floor.

New details emerging from sources close to the investigation and family indicate that Precious Johnson texted a relative mere hours before the shooting, expressing plans to prepare for bringing her newborn home. The message, described as optimistic yet cut short, ended abruptly—without a period, emoji, or farewell—followed by no further reply or activity from her phone. This incomplete communication has become a poignant marker in the timeline, symbolizing the sudden shift from hope to horror.

Detectives from the Homewood Police Department are now meticulously reconstructing Precious Johnson’s last conversation with Kynath Terry Jr. inside the hospital room. Investigators are piecing together witness statements, any available security footage from the maternity ward, electronic communications (including texts or calls between the couple), and physical evidence from the scene to understand the final interactions. The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office ruled Johnson’s death as multiple gunshot wounds, while Terry died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, classifying the incident as a domestic-related murder-suicide. No other individuals were injured, and authorities have confirmed the baby was not present in the room during the shooting—though the infant’s safety was immediately secured.

Family members have shared that the couple had been experiencing marital difficulties leading up to the birth. Terry’s mother told media outlets that issues existed but nothing indicated potential violence. Reports suggest tensions may have escalated in the hospital setting—possibly over family presence (Johnson reportedly did not want Terry’s relatives there for the delivery) or other unresolved conflicts. Some unconfirmed social media speculation has circulated about financial disputes or paternity concerns, but police have not substantiated these as factors, emphasizing the investigation remains ongoing.

The abrupt text about preparing to bring the child home stands out as a tragic “what if”—a glimpse of normalcy interrupted forever. Precious Johnson’s final outreach to a relative, cut short mid-thought, underscores the unpredictability of such crises. For loved ones, it amplifies the grief: a mother excited about her new family, unaware of the impending danger in what should have been a protected space.

This case has sparked renewed scrutiny of hospital security protocols, particularly in maternity wards where visitors (including spouses) have access during vulnerable postpartum hours. Baptist Health Brookwood and Homewood police have not detailed how Terry entered with a firearm, but the incident highlights gaps in screening and response that many facilities are now reviewing.

The newborn, now without both parents, is in the care of family or protective services as arrangements proceed. Community support has poured in via vigils, online fundraisers, and calls for mental health awareness in relationships strained by life transitions like childbirth, financial pressures, or young parenthood.

This heartbreaking story serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers in domestic violence and the need for immediate intervention. Resources such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233 or text “START” to 88788) provide confidential help 24/7. In Alabama, local crisis lines and organizations like the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence offer support for those in abusive situations or concerned about loved ones.

The Women’s Medical Center at Brookwood Hospital, once a place of new beginnings, now bears the weight of unimaginable loss. As detectives continue reconstructing those final moments in the hospital room—including Precious’s last words to her husband—the focus remains on understanding, healing for the surviving child, and preventing future tragedies in spaces meant for safety and joy.