Man fatally shoots wife in Penn Hills before turning gun on self, family says
A man and woman were found shot to death in a vehicle in Penn Hills on Tuesday afternoon. Crystal Russ was fatally shot by her husband, William Broadus, in an apparent murder-suicide, her family told KDKA-TV on Wednesday.
The Allegheny County Police Department said in a news release that county 911 learned of a vehicle that crashed into a building in the 6700 block of West Barivista Drive on Tuesday around 3:30 p.m. At the scene, a man and woman were found shot inside the vehicle. They were both pronounced dead, police said.
The press release from police said the shooting happened inside the vehicle "as part of a domestic situation." County police did not release any additional information about the circumstances surrounding the shooting on Tuesday.
Russ' family told KDKA-TV on Wednesday that the two had been married for more than a decade, but they were going through a separation. The two had twin 11-year-olds together, and Russ had two children prior. The family said the 11-year-olds were home on Tuesday when Broadus came out, shot his wife while she was in her vehicle before turning the gun on himself. The children are staying with family.
"Crystal she was a beautiful, sweet person," one of her cousins told KDKA-TV. "She never harmed a fly. She was a dedicated mother."
Russ' aunt, Mary Fisher, said the grief is unimaginable.
"I just thank God I was able to spend a few hours with her the day before, and we talked about God," she said. "We talked about the relationship she was going to have with him to get her through this tough time."
The family says after 10 years of marriage, Russ was planning to walk away because she had had enough.
"There were red flags, but no one ever knew it would come to this point, where he would actually take her from us," Fisher said. "Domestic abuse, it's just taken so lightly."
Russ spent a lot of time with her cousins, who were supporting and encouraging her. She was a middle child, and her youngest sister died years ago. It was just her and her older brother, whom she was planning on donating a kidney to.
"I just want you to know that we love Crystal, we miss her," Fisher said. "We would've never imagined this happening."
The investigation into the shooting continues. Anyone with information can call the county police tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.
"Keep us in prayer," Fisher said. "There are no words that can bring back what we lost. She was a gift to all. Pray for her children."
