According to the NYPD, a child custody dispute resulted in a tragic incident on the Upper East Side of Manhattan on Friday, which claimed the lives of a mother and grandmother.
The incident occurred around 9 a.m. on East 88th Street, between York and East End Avenue, which is located near the entrance of Gracie Mansion.
Authorities are currently conducting an investigation at the Upper East Side of Manhattan after a suspected incident of attempted murder-suicide. The police are gathering evidence and information to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
As the shots rang out, people who were out enjoying the day, some with their baby strollers, had to quickly scramble for cover.
According to Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny of the NYPD, the heartbreaking murder-suicide was triggered by a custody dispute.
As Marissa Galloway, 45, was stowing a stroller in the trunk after putting her child in the car, the child’s grandmother came up to her.
Leigh, a resident of Chicago, tragically took her own life by shooting herself in the head on the sidewalk. Medical officials declared her deceased at the location.
Unfortunately, Galloway passed away after being rushed to the hospital.
The child’s father, who remained unharmed during the shooting, was in the midst of a custody battle with Galloway. The dispute had been ongoing for some time.
According to records, the NYPD documented a minimum of five instances of domestic disputes within the family, along with two other complaint reports.
According to Kenny, Leigh was found with a 9mm gun on the sidewalk, and another firearm was discovered in her tote bag.
According to Kenny, she has been living in New York City with her family for the past three years since retiring as a Cook County probation officer.
As an individual with vast experience in running, Galloway served as a track coach at Fordham University for a considerable period of time.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Marissa and her loved ones during this tragic time. The university community is deeply saddened by her untimely death,” stated the university.
For 17 years until 2019, she dedicated her time as a volunteer assistant track and field coach at Fordham, where she had also graduated as an alumna.
As a teacher, Galloway also had experience working in Westchester.
The suspect is not related to Galloway’s one-year-old daughter, who was thankfully not present at the scene. Galloway’s son, however, was with her at the time of the incident.