A night that should have been filled with recovery and new beginnings turned into unimaginable tragedy on March 1, 2026, at Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital in Homewood. Authorities say a 24-year-old new mother was killed in what investigators describe as an apparent domestic-related murder-suicide inside the Women’s Medical Center.
According to the Homewood Police Department, officers responded around 9:25 p.m. to reports of shots fired inside the hospital. When police arrived, they discovered two individuals suffering from gunshot wounds. The shocking violence inside a maternity unit left staff, patients, and families shaken.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Precious Elicia J’anae Johnson, 24, of Birmingham. Officials confirmed that Johnson, who had recently given birth, was shot multiple times. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Her death has left loved ones grieving not only her loss but the devastating circumstances surrounding it.
Authorities identified the shooter as Kynath William Terry Jr., 19, of Midfield. Preliminary findings indicate the incident was a domestic-related murder-suicide. Terry also died from a gunshot wound. Police confirmed that no other patients, staff members, or visitors were injured during the incident.
Hospital officials stated they are fully cooperating with investigators. The facility was temporarily placed on lockdown following the shooting to ensure safety. By Monday morning, the hospital had reopened, and operations returned to normal. Even so, the emotional impact of the tragedy continues to weigh heavily on those who were present.
Johnson’s death has deeply shaken both the Homewood and Birmingham communities. A hospital maternity ward is meant to represent life, hope, and fresh starts. Instead, it became the scene of heartbreaking violence, leaving a newborn child without a mother and a family facing an overwhelming loss. Authorities say the investigation remains ongoing as they work to determine the full timeline and circumstances surrounding the tragic event.
