At a Glance
- Mother Shantal Snowden shot dead during a custody exchange.
- Her 45-year-old ex-boyfriend then killed himself in front of their three children.
- The children, ages 1, 4, and 6, were unharmed.
- Why it matters: The incident underscores the extreme risks of domestic violence for families.
On December 26, a routine custody exchange in Upper Darby turned into a tragedy when 34-year-old mother Shantal Snowden was shot and her ex-boyfriend took his own life in front of their children. The 45-year-old man was taken to the hospital before being declared dead after life support was withdrawn. The three children, ages 1, 4, and 6, survived physically unharmed.
The Tragic Incident
The incident occurred near the corner of Locust Street and Copley Road, shortly after noon. Shantal was driving with her children in the backseat when the ex-boyfriend entered the vehicle and began an argument. He then drew a gun, shot Shantal, and fired at himself in front of the children.
- Children: ages 1, 4, 6 – all unharmed.
Mother’s Tribute
Darlene Snowden, the grieving mother, spoke to News Of Philadelphia about her daughter’s character. She described Shantal as an excellent mother who loved her kids and did everything to make their lives beautiful.
Darlene Snowden stated:
> “She loved her kids. She did everything to make sure their life was as beautiful as possible.”
Darlene Snowden added:
> “I want to thank the person who took them out of the car and took them to safety. I want to thank that person because it could have been them. They were right there. And I would assume that in his state of mind he did not care.”
Aftermath and Support
Police confirmed the ex-boyfriend died after being taken off life support. A neighbor immediately rescued the children and drove them to safety. Darlene is now focused on her grandchildren, who are coping with the traumatic loss.
Darlene Snowden said:
> “They wake up at night and they are crying. They’re screaming, and I have to hold them and tell them everything is all right. That their mom is in heaven. And they ask when can they talk to her and I say, ‘We will talk to her when we pray.'”
Key Takeaways
- The mother was shot dead during a custody exchange.
- The ex-boyfriend committed suicide in front of their children.
- The children survived physically unharmed and are receiving support.
The Upper Darby tragedy highlights the urgent need for vigilance and support for families facing domestic violence.
