Topline: Responding officers found both husband and wife dead from gunshot wounds inside the Women’s Center, while their infant was not hurt.
Published: March 5, 2026 8:12 am ET
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Kynath Terry Jr, left, and his wife, Precious Johnson. (via Facebook)
HOMEWOOD, AL — A 24-year-old new mother was shot and killed inside a suburban Birmingham hospital Sunday night in what investigators believe was a domestic-related murder-suicide, according to police and the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office.
The incident happened just after 9:25 p.m. March 1 at the Women’s Center of Brookwood Hospital, located at 2010 Medical Center Drive, when officers were dispatched on a report of possible shots fired, the Homewood Police Department said in an updated news release. Responding officers found a female patient and a male subject dead from gunshot wounds. No one else was injured.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as 24-year-old Precious Johnson. She had been shot multiple times, authorities said. Her husband, 19-year-old Kynath Terry Jr., died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the coroner.
Police said their preliminary investigation indicates the shooting was domestic in nature and appears to be a murder-suicide.
According to WVTM, family members said Johnson had just given birth to the couple’s baby at Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital. Investigators said the shooting happened while Terry was visiting the hospital Sunday night.
Terry’s mother, who did not want to speak on camera, told WVTM 13’s Lisa Crane that she could not understand why the shooting occurred. She said the young couple had been experiencing marital issues and that Johnson did not want Terry’s family at the hospital when she delivered the baby. However, she told the station she had no idea her son was capable of violence.
According to WVTM, Terry had recently finished Army National Guard training, married Johnson and was preparing to welcome their child. Authorities said that after Johnson delivered the baby, Terry shot her several times before turning the gun on himself.
The tragedy has reverberated beyond the hospital walls, prompting renewed discussion about safety protocols in medical facilities across Alabama.
“I think it’s sad, but this was an isolated incident, and I will say in my 30 years of working at the hospital association and representing our hospitals in the state, this is the first time something has occurred like this,” said Danne Howard, president of the Alabama Hospital Association, in comments reported by WVTM.
Howard told WBRC that hospitals routinely balance open access with security. “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.
She added that hospitals update their safety plans every two years and conduct 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,” Howard said.
Less than 24 hours after the shooting, a WVTM reporter was able to walk through the labor and delivery unit without being stopped. Howard told the station that hospitals typically conduct internal reviews after critical incidents.
“The hospitals always do an after-action report and look at what are the lessons learned, what worked well, what might need to be refined,” Howard said. “And in doing that, it’s not uncommon for the hospital association to pull together, all of our hospitals to share information and best practices and what worked and what didn’t work and what might need to be revisited.”
Howard noted there is no state mandate requiring hospitals in Alabama to employ security guards, though most facilities have security measures in place. Some hospitals use metal detectors or additional screening procedures, depending on the facility, she said. As the investigation continues, she told WBRC the association will reassess hospital safety plans statewide to determine whether changes are needed.
Leaders at Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital declined to speak on camera or answer specific questions about security, according to WVTM.
Homewood Mayor Jennifer Andress said the investigation remains active.
“Last night, our police department responded to a tragic shooting at Brookwood Hospital. Our officers acted quickly to secure the scene and ensure there was no ongoing threat to the public. This remains an active investigation, and we are directing all case-specific questions to the Police Department’s Public Information Officer. Our thoughts are with the victim, her family, the hospital staff, and everyone impacted. We are working closely with hospital leadership and will provide updates as appropriate,” Andress said.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or emotional distress, help is available. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or chat at 988lifeline.org. In an emergency, call 911.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Husband Shoots Wife After Childbirth, Then Himself, Inside Alabama Hospital
Responding officers found both husband and wife dead from gunshot wounds inside the Women’s Center, while their infant was not hurt.
By Jacob Charles
Published: March 5, 2026 8:12 am ET
Kynath Terry Jr, left, and his wife, Precious Johnson. (via Facebook)
HOMEWOOD, AL — A 24-year-old new mother was shot and killed inside a suburban Birmingham hospital Sunday night in what investigators believe was a domestic-related murder-suicide, according to police and the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office.
The incident happened just after 9:25 p.m. March 1 at the Women’s Center of Brookwood Hospital, located at 2010 Medical Center Drive, when officers were dispatched on a report of possible shots fired, the Homewood Police Department said in an updated news release. Responding officers found a female patient and a male subject dead from gunshot wounds. No one else was injured.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as 24-year-old Precious Johnson. She had been shot multiple times, authorities said. Her husband, 19-year-old Kynath Terry Jr., died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the coroner.
Police said their preliminary investigation indicates the shooting was domestic in nature and appears to be a murder-suicide.
According to WVTM, family members said Johnson had just given birth to the couple’s baby at Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital. Investigators said the shooting happened while Terry was visiting the hospital Sunday night.
Terry’s mother, who did not want to speak on camera, told WVTM 13’s Lisa Crane that she could not understand why the shooting occurred. She said the young couple had been experiencing marital issues and that Johnson did not want Terry’s family at the hospital when she delivered the baby. However, she told the station she had no idea her son was capable of violence.
According to WVTM, Terry had recently finished Army National Guard training, married Johnson and was preparing to welcome their child. Authorities said that after Johnson delivered the baby, Terry shot her several times before turning the gun on himself.
The tragedy has reverberated beyond the hospital walls, prompting renewed discussion about safety protocols in medical facilities across Alabama.
“I think it’s sad, but this was an isolated incident, and I will say in my 30 years of working at the hospital association and representing our hospitals in the state, this is the first time something has occurred like this,” said Danne Howard, president of the Alabama Hospital Association, in comments reported by WVTM.
Howard told WBRC that hospitals routinely balance open access with security. “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.
She added that hospitals update their safety plans every two years and conduct 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,” Howard said.
Less than 24 hours after the shooting, a WVTM reporter was able to walk through the labor and delivery unit without being stopped. Howard told the station that hospitals typically conduct internal reviews after critical incidents.
“The hospitals always do an after-action report and look at what are the lessons learned, what worked well, what might need to be refined,” Howard said. “And in doing that, it’s not uncommon for the hospital association to pull together, all of our hospitals to share information and best practices and what worked and what didn’t work and what might need to be revisited.”
Howard noted there is no state mandate requiring hospitals in Alabama to employ security guards, though most facilities have security measures in place. Some hospitals use metal detectors or additional screening procedures, depending on the facility, she said. As the investigation continues, she told WBRC the association will reassess hospital safety plans statewide to determine whether changes are needed.
Leaders at Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital declined to speak on camera or answer specific questions about security, according to WVTM.
Homewood Mayor Jennifer Andress said the investigation remains active.
“Last night, our police department responded to a tragic shooting at Brookwood Hospital. Our officers acted quickly to secure the scene and ensure there was no ongoing threat to the public. This remains an active investigation, and we are directing all case-specific questions to the Police Department’s Public Information Officer. Our thoughts are with the victim, her family, the hospital staff, and everyone impacted. We are working closely with hospital leadership and will provide updates as appropriate,” Andress said.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or emotional distress, help is available. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or chat at 988lifeline.org. In an emergency, call 911.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Husband Shoots Wife After Childbirth, Then Himself, Inside Alabama Hospital
Responding officers found both husband and wife dead from gunshot wounds inside the Women’s Center, while their infant was not hurt.
By Jacob Charles
Published: March 5, 2026 8:12 am ET
Kynath Terry Jr, left, and his wife, Precious Johnson. (via Facebook)
HOMEWOOD, AL — A 24-year-old new mother was shot and killed inside a suburban Birmingham hospital Sunday night in what investigators believe was a domestic-related murder-suicide, according to police and the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office.
The incident happened just after 9:25 p.m. March 1 at the Women’s Center of Brookwood Hospital, located at 2010 Medical Center Drive, when officers were dispatched on a report of possible shots fired, the Homewood Police Department said in an updated news release. Responding officers found a female patient and a male subject dead from gunshot wounds. No one else was injured.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as 24-year-old Precious Johnson. She had been shot multiple times, authorities said. Her husband, 19-year-old Kynath Terry Jr., died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the coroner.
Police said their preliminary investigation indicates the shooting was domestic in nature and appears to be a murder-suicide.
According to WVTM, family members said Johnson had just given birth to the couple’s baby at Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital. Investigators said the shooting happened while Terry was visiting the hospital Sunday night.
Terry’s mother, who did not want to speak on camera, told WVTM 13’s Lisa Crane that she could not understand why the shooting occurred. She said the young couple had been experiencing marital issues and that Johnson did not want Terry’s family at the hospital when she delivered the baby. However, she told the station she had no idea her son was capable of violence.
According to WVTM, Terry had recently finished Army National Guard training, married Johnson and was preparing to welcome their child. Authorities said that after Johnson delivered the baby, Terry shot her several times before turning the gun on himself.
The tragedy has reverberated beyond the hospital walls, prompting renewed discussion about safety protocols in medical facilities across Alabama.
“I think it’s sad, but this was an isolated incident, and I will say in my 30 years of working at the hospital association and representing our hospitals in the state, this is the first time something has occurred like this,” said Danne Howard, president of the Alabama Hospital Association, in comments reported by WVTM.
Howard told WBRC that hospitals routinely balance open access with security. “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.
She added that hospitals update their safety plans every two years and conduct 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,” Howard said.
Less than 24 hours after the shooting, a WVTM reporter was able to walk through the labor and delivery unit without being stopped. Howard told the station that hospitals typically conduct internal reviews after critical incidents.
“The hospitals always do an after-action report and look at what are the lessons learned, what worked well, what might need to be refined,” Howard said. “And in doing that, it’s not uncommon for the hospital association to pull together, all of our hospitals to share information and best practices and what worked and what didn’t work and what might need to be revisited.”
Howard noted there is no state mandate requiring hospitals in Alabama to employ security guards, though most facilities have security measures in place. Some hospitals use metal detectors or additional screening procedures, depending on the facility, she said. As the investigation continues, she told WBRC the association will reassess hospital safety plans statewide to determine whether changes are needed.
Leaders at Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital declined to speak on camera or answer specific questions about security, according to WVTM.
Homewood Mayor Jennifer Andress said the investigation remains active.
“Last night, our police department responded to a tragic shooting at Brookwood Hospital. Our officers acted quickly to secure the scene and ensure there was no ongoing threat to the public. This remains an active investigation, and we are directing all case-specific questions to the Police Department’s Public Information Officer. Our thoughts are with the victim, her family, the hospital staff, and everyone impacted. We are working closely with hospital leadership and will provide updates as appropriate,” Andress said.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or emotional distress, help is available. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or chat at 988lifeline.org. In an emergency, call 911.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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