Woman Shot To Death While Leaving Work In Walmart Parking Lot
NEW CASTLE (KDKA) - A mother of three was shot and killed in the parking lot of her workplace late Sunday evening.
The alleged gunman has been identified as the father of her children. He is believed to have taken his own life after fleeing the scene.
"She called me at 11. She said, 'I'll be there in like 10 minutes.' And I said 'Be careful,'" the victim's grandmother, Ethel Prowell, said.
Just 15 minutes after that conversation, 22-year-old Mariah Anderson walked to her car after leaving work at the Union Township Walmart.
She had a friend walk her to her car. Anderson was allegedly scared her ex-boyfriend and father of her three children would come after her.
Her family said Carlos Harper had been stalking her ever since she left him four weeks ago and filed a protection from abuse order against him.
"She told me today, she said, 'I just want to quit. I want to quit my job.' And I said, 'Mariah, don't do that. You got kids to take care of.' And she said, 'I can't live in fear having to come out of work and look over my shoulder every day,'" Anderson's sister, Tyresha Prowell, said.
According to police, Harper went up to Anderson's car last night around 11:15 p.m. and fired multiple rounds at her through the front windshield.
She was rushed to Jameson Hospital, where she later died.
Harper fled to New Brighton after the shooting.
When police found out the 27-year-old was holed up inside the Brightwood Manor Apartments, they set up a perimeter, evacuated the apartments and called in the SWAT team.
State police confirmed they found the Harper's body inside an apartment.
Police believe he took his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
"He asked one of the persons inside the residence if they could look out the door and see if police were outside. We believe he was aware that we were looking for him and that's where a shot was fired that went out the window," State Police Lt. Eric Hermick said.
The couple's three children are staying with family.
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