Cincinnati police said there is an alarming rise in domestic violence-related killings.The latest being a pregnant mother and her unborn child in West Price Hill.Michelle McDonald's family said she was loving, happy and kind.They told WLWT they had no idea something so terrible was about to happen.That's why they hope victims will find help as soon as they can."I just feel so much pain that I just don't feel like it's going to ever going to end," said Michelle Sanchez, McDonald's mother.Sanchez cries for her 31-year-old daughter and her unborn baby granddaughter, Aaliyah.Cincinnati police said both are the latest victims of domestic violence murder.McDonald is remembered for her smile."Unfortunately, it's events like these that bring it to light more. So, now we've lost this beautiful woman and this child," Lt. Col. Lisa Davis said.Police have charged Antonio Wilcox, 37, with murder.Loved ones said he was dating McDonald and was the baby's father.McDonald leaves behind a 4-year-old daughter, who family members said witnessed the shooting.Cincinnati police recorded three domestic violence-related murders in 2018.They said there were just as many in 2019.Officials said in 2020, there were five domestic violence-related murders.So far in 2021, they have counted nine.Davis said the pandemic may have fueled a spike."The controlling, the manipulation, isolating you from your friends and family, those type of things. I think the lesson is whenever, as a family member, as a friend, you're seeing those things," she said. "I think it's OK to ask those tough questions and I think we all have to be that person because we care about them."Police said Wilcox has a violent history and should not have had a gun."We know a lot of bad guys get their guns through straw purchases, meaning, they'll get someone who can legally buy a gun and then they give that to the bad guy," Davis said.McDonald's family hopes her story could inspire victims to find help."Let them know they've got that one person they can come talk to and confide in when something like this is going on because it's happening in everybody's families," said Dorothea Young, McDonald's cousin.Police said this case is a reminder to never give up on the victims.They said it is important to remember to go at their pace and remind them that they have safety and support when they decide it is time to leave.Cincinnati police said domestic violence incidents typically only make up between 6% and 8% of homicides.This year, the number sits at 16%.They believe part of the problem is the number of guns available on the streets.Officials said so far, Cincinnati officers have recovered more than 800 guns.
Cincinnati police said there is an alarming rise in domestic violence-related killings.
The latest being a pregnant mother and her unborn child in West Price Hill.
Michelle McDonald's family said she was loving, happy and kind.
They told WLWT they had no idea something so terrible was about to happen.
That's why they hope victims will find help as soon as they can.
"I just feel so much pain that I just don't feel like it's going to ever going to end," said Michelle Sanchez, McDonald's mother.
Sanchez cries for her 31-year-old daughter and her unborn baby granddaughter, Aaliyah.
Cincinnati police said both are the latest victims of domestic violence murder.
McDonald is remembered for her smile.
"Unfortunately, it's events like these that bring it to light more. So, now we've lost this beautiful woman and this child," Lt. Col. Lisa Davis said.
Police have charged Antonio Wilcox, 37, with murder.
Loved ones said he was dating McDonald and was the baby's father.
McDonald leaves behind a 4-year-old daughter, who family members said witnessed the shooting.
Cincinnati police recorded three domestic violence-related murders in 2018.
They said there were just as many in 2019.
Officials said in 2020, there were five domestic violence-related murders.
So far in 2021, they have counted nine.
Davis said the pandemic may have fueled a spike.
"The controlling, the manipulation, isolating you from your friends and family, those type of things. I think the lesson is whenever, as a family member, as a friend, you're seeing those things," she said. "I think it's OK to ask those tough questions and I think we all have to be that person because we care about them."
Police said Wilcox has a violent history and should not have had a gun.
"We know a lot of bad guys get their guns through straw purchases, meaning, they'll get someone who can legally buy a gun and then they give that to the bad guy," Davis said.
McDonald's family hopes her story could inspire victims to find help.
"Let them know they've got that one person they can come talk to and confide in when something like this is going on because it's happening in everybody's families," said Dorothea Young, McDonald's cousin.
Police said this case is a reminder to never give up on the victims.
They said it is important to remember to go at their pace and remind them that they have safety and support when they decide it is time to leave.
Cincinnati police said domestic violence incidents typically only make up between 6% and 8% of homicides.
This year, the number sits at 16%.
They believe part of the problem is the number of guns available on the streets.
Officials said so far, Cincinnati officers have recovered more than 800 guns.
Source link
