RICHMOND, Va. β A Richmond woman was killed the day before what would have been her 34th birthday, leaving her 9-day-old daughter in the NICU without a mother.
Outside a Richmond home Monday, happy birthday balloons swayed in the wind and candles flickered, but for Johnnita Russell's family and friends, there was no celebration.
"A lot of people loved her," Shareka Flack said.
Flack told CBS 6 she wanted to support Russell's sister, April.
"Just try to be there for her to comfort, that's all we can do at this point. Keep praying for them and hopefully day by day, it will get better," Flack said.
On Sunday around 9:30 p.m., Richmond police say Russell died after being shot inside her home in the 500 block of Hunt Avenue.
Russell's family says her 96-year-old grandmother witnessed the attack.
On Monday afternoon, police arrested Russell's estranged partner, Michael Sprague, the father of her baby daughter who has been in the NICU unit of the hospital since her birth.
"It was a shock. It was a shocker. I think the only thing she wanted to do was become a mom and her life was cut short," Flack said.
Sprague is charged with shooting within an occupied dwelling and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, with additional charges pending.
Russell's sister tells me she doesn't know why Sprague turned violent, but she is now going to court to try to get custody of her sister's daughter who she says is named Sapphire.
She says she's anxious to meet and care for her niece and see justice for her sister.
Friends say they'll do everything they can to support the family.
"She was a great person and she'll be missed. Yeah," Flack said.
Family members provided a GoFundMe fundraiser link to CBS 6. Click here to make a donation.
Do you know Johnnita Russell? Send memories, photos, or condolences to the CBS 6 Newsroom.
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