Horrific security camera footage shows the final moments of special education teacher Marisa Galloway before she was shot and killed by her former mother-in-law, who then turned the gun on herself in what was dubbed a murder-suicide .
The footage shows Kathleen Leigh, 65, concealing a gun, later identified as a 9mm Glock, behind a Target shopping bag as she hid from Galloway, 45, around the side of the latter's car on New York City 's Upper East Side.
Galloway had been loading her 1-year-old daughter into the vehicle. Leigh appeared to wait until that was done, then made her move as Galloway loaded the girl's stroller into the back of the vehicle.
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She stepped out from behind the car, took out the gun and shot Galloway before turning the weapon on herself, shooting herself in the head. She died instantly, but Galloway was still alive when the police arrived later, and she was rushed to the hospital, where she later died.
The 1-year-old girl was unharmed in the backseat of the car, the police revealed. The shooting happened just before 9 a.m. on Friday, with the gunfire sending pedestrians in the area, some of whom had children with them, scrambling for cover, local news reported. It took place on East 88th Street between York Avenue and East End Avenue near Gracie Mansion.
It was later revealed that Leigh was a retired Chicago probation officer. She left a long, seven-page suicide note in which she reportedly accused Galloway of attempting to isolate her 4-year-old daughter from her son, the girl's father.
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Leigh's son and Galloway were allegedly engaged in a nasty custody dispute in which they each accused the other of abusing the girl. Neighbors of Leigh, who lived on East 79th Street, said, according to the New York Post , that she frequently complained about Galloway, accusing her of mistreating her granddaughter.
As many as five domestic incidents were recorded by the police between Galloway and Leigh's son between July and November 2021, it was reported, though the nature of the disputes wasn't known. The father additionally complained in multiple reports that his daughter had come home with bruises after staying with Galloway.
New York City child services investigators previously found claims of abuse by Galloway to be untrue, it was reported, and Leigh and her son's claims of abuse don't seem to match the testimony of friends, family and neighbors in Galloway's life.
A resident of Galloway's East 86th Street building told the New York Post through tears that Galloway was "so wonderful" and that she clearly loved her kids.
After the harrowing incident, the 4-year-old girl is in the custody of her father, it was reported, as the investigation continues. She had also been with him when the shooting occurred, and as of Monday, the police told the New York Post that Leigh acted alone and that her son had no clue that his mother would take such actions. It was reported that Leigh was receiving treatment for terminal cancer.
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