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Pregnant woman shot to death in murder-suicide, unborn baby survives

Posted at 6:41 AM, Jul 30, 2015
and last updated 2015-07-30 06:41:24-04

(Photo Credit: Family of Chris Scruggs)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A pregnant woman was shot to death, but doctors were able to save her unborn child after an apparent murder-suicide Tuesday night.

That's according to Mary Scruggs, the mother of the suspected shooter, 32-year-old Chris Scruggs. Chris was the victim's fiancé and high school sweetheart, Mary told WJW.

Cleveland police say the shootings happened in the 1300 block of East 114th Street just after 9 p.m. Tuesday. The victim, identified as Christian (Chrissy) Njorodge, 34, of East Cleveland, was found shot in the head when police arrived at the scene.

Njorodge, who was six months pregnant, died at the hospital. Her unborn baby girl was delivered and survived.

Mary Scruggs told WJW on Wednesday that she witnessed the shootings. She said she'd just arrived at the home when she saw her son in the driveway and Njorodge on her knees. Mary Scruggs said Chris was holding a gun to Njorodge and seemed to be in a fog.

Mary said she begged her son not to shoot Njorodge, but that he shot her in the head. Mary said her son then shot himself in the head. He was taken to the hospital, where he later died.

Mary Scruggs said the couple did not have problems and were very good for each other. She said Chris had a military background and served three tours of duty overseas.

She said she believed he suffered from post traumatic stress, but he never received treatment.