Eleven-year-old witnesses her mother shot in Warren
Two neighboring houses became crime scenes after a domestic dispute turned deadly for one Warren couple before noon Thursday.
Two neighboring houses became crime scenes after a domestic dispute turned deadly for one Warren couple before noon Friday.
A source tells 21 news reporter Michelle Nicks an 11 year-old girl called 911 after witnessing her mother's boyfriend shoot her at their home at 1336 Hamilton Street SW.
Jessica Crowder, 34, was ruled dead on the scene according to the Trumbull County Coroner.
Police say 27 year-old Roleigh Culver, also known as R.J. later shot himself at 414 Austin Avenue SW, just around the corner from the Hamilton Street home.
He later died at the hospital, according to the coroner.
A family member says the couple was fighting over groceries in the driveway when Culver pulled a gun.
Just before the shooting, Chris Gilger, executive director of the Warren Family Mission, says Crowder had been volunteering at the mission with Culver.
Gilger says the couple was peaceful and didn't appear to be arguing, adding that Crowder was a regular volunteer at the Warren Family Mission.
Family members say Crowder's 14 year-old son with autism was swimming at the time of the shooting.
Neighbors describe the couple's relationship as tumultuous, saying they feared it could turn violent.
According to court records and police reports, Culver had a violent history including several domestic assault charges and an assault case, in which he pleaded no contest to each charge.
In September 2015, Crowder filed domestic assault charges against Culver after he allegedly side swipped the vehicle she was driving, forcing her to drive off the road and into a yard, according to police reports.
According to the report, Culver told Crowder “she would be a dead (expletive)” and he would make her life miserable.
In the same report, Crowder told police she and Culver had just broken up after being together for three years and living together for over one year.
The Warren Family Mission plans to help pay for Crowder's funeral, as well as provide meals following the service.
The mission says those who wish to make donations can send checks for the Crowder family to the Warren Family Mission at 155 Tod Ave NW.
Stay connected with 21 News for more on this developing story.
