An Alabama mother who was pregnant with her second child was fatally shot by a man who was stalking her before he later died by suicide.
Shelby Amidon was killed by Ricky O’Neil Beck, Jr., at her home in Warrior, Alabama, on the morning of Thursday, March 19, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said.
After Amidon, 29, was shot, she called 911 and identified Beck, 43, as her stalker, according to AL.com. Beck had reportedly been stalking Amidon for quite some time before the deadly incident.
It is not currently clear how Amidon and Beck knew each other.
Tennessee Man Kills Wife and 8-Year-Old Daughter in Murder-Suicide
Beck fled Amidon’s home after the shooting with a silver toolbox, according to an alert issued by local police.
Police soon set out to find Beck, and Senior ALEA Trooper Brandon Bailey said he saw the suspect pull out a gun while running into a responding Blount County sheriff deputy’s patrol vehicle, according to AL.com.
Bailey opened fire, though Beck managed to get away.
A manhunt began for Beck, and his body was eventually found in a wooded area later that day. Bailey told the outlet that Beck appeared to have shot himself.
The Alabama State Bureau of Investigation said that they are still investigating the case.
Prior to her death, Amidon was married to Nick Amidon. The couple shared one young son, while she was pregnant with her second child.
Nick’s mother, Karen Libecap, set up a GoFundMe page to help her son and grandson financially during the difficult time.
Tennessee Man Kills Wife and 8-Year-Old Daughter in Murder-Suicide
“We are heartbroken to share the tragic and sudden loss of Shelby Amidon, a beloved mother, wife, and daughter whose life was taken far too soon. On Thursday March 19 Shelby was fatally shot,” Libecap wrote. “She leaves behind her husband, Nick, and their young son, Cayson, and their unborn child who now face an unimaginable future without her love, guidance, and presence. No family should ever have to endure this kind of pain.”
Libecap added that she was “raising funds to help ease the financial burden during this devastating time.”
“Donations will go toward funeral and memorial expenses, as well as creating a savings fund for Cayson to support his future—something his mother would have wanted more than anything,” she wrote.
The post concluded with Libecap describing her late daughter-in-law as “a beautiful soul who brought love, warmth, and light to those around her.” She concluded, “She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.”
The fundraiser has earned $13,725 of its $15,000 goal as of time of publication.
