By The newspaper
26 Jul 2024, 13:19 PM EDT
A woman shot her grandson’s mother and then herself this morning outside Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York’s mayor, in an elegant area of Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
Marissa Galloway (45) had just placed her one-year-old baby in the car and was putting a stroller in the trunk when Cathleen Lee (65) – grandmother of her oldest son, who is 4 years old – approached her, pulled out a 9mm Glock weapon and shot her in the head and back. The gunwoman then shot herself in the head on the sidewalk, the NYPD reported.
Lee had two handguns in his possession. The double tragedy happened shortly before 9 a.m. on East 88th Street between York and East End Avenue, just down the street from the entrance to Gracie Mansion. People out enjoying the summer day, many with baby strollers, ran for cover when the shots rang out, Lee said. ABC News.
The baby sitting in the car was not injured. Lee died at the scene and Galloway was rushed to a hospital where she later died. According to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny, the double murder happened because of a custody dispute over Galloway’s oldest child. The investigation into the suspected murder-suicide is ongoing.
Kenny said the 9mm handgun was found on the sidewalk next to Lee and that there was another gun in her handbag. “She is a retired Cook County (Chicago, Illinois) probation officer who has been living in New York City with family members for the past three years.”
The NYPD had records of at least five reports of domestic disputes within the family, as well as two other reports of complaints.
Domestic violence is a constant in New York City and surrounding areas, between relatives, roommates and partners, even involving minor victims. Every day in NYC, an average of 747 incidents of domestic violence are reported – including assault, abuse, verbal abuse – and about 65 homicides annually.
Last week, four people – including two young children – from an immigrant family were found stabbed to death in a Brooklyn apartment. A relative of the victims was arrested and charged.
If you are a victim or suspect that someone is being abused, especially if you are a minor or an elderly person:
I looked for help
- Call 911, 988 or (800)-942-6906.
- Text “WELL” to 65173.
- Check information at https://nycwell.cityofnewyork.us/es/ and www.988lineadevida.org