Ala. Mom Killed by Boyfriend in Murder-Suicide, 10-Year-Old Son Seriously Wounded Trying to Protect Her

The boy was shot in the face and arm, the police chief says

An Alabama mother who was killed by her boyfriend in a murder-suicide was shielded by her 10-year-old son, who was seriously injured in the Sunday evening shooting, police said.

Police in Sheffield, Ala., identified the fatal victim as 38-year-old Ashley Lynn McClung and her boyfriend as 40-year-old Christopher Narmore, who subsequently died by suicide, Chief Ricky Terry of the Sheffield Police Department confirms to PEOPLE. (A GoFundMe and a memorial set in her name, shared by McClung's loved ones on social media, identify her as Ashley Lynn Newton and Ashley Lynn Newton McClung, respectively.)

Her son, who WAFF identified as 10-year-old Cayson McClung citing a public statement by his school principal, was shot in the face and arm as he tried to protect her, according to Terry.

Ashley and Narmore were in an argument that “escalated” on Sunday evening, Terry tells PEOPLE.

“The boyfriend had a gun and tried to shoot the mother and [Cayson] got into a tussle with the boyfriend,” he says. “He raised his arm up and that’s when the boyfriend shot the juvenile, then he shot the mother, then he killed himself.”

Cayson was seriously injured but conscious when medics and police arrived, the chief says, and was able to tell authorities what happened.

Terry confirms to PEOPLE that the 10-year-old has had two surgeries and is in stable condition.

“Doctors were able to save his arm,” he says. “They got a lot of the lead out of his face from the shotgun injury.”

In a Facebook post, New Bethel Elementary School acknowledged that Cayson was injured.

"We are pouring out prayers for all of those hurting today and rallying to provide support for Cayson," the school's post said.

Since her death, friends and family members have shared tributes to Ashley on social media, on the GoFundMe fundraiser and on her memorial page. In a Facebook post, her sister Tonya Willis said they are waiting for Cayson to be home before proceeding with any arrangements for Ashley.

"Ashley was a loving and devoted mother, attended all of her children’s sporting events and activities," read her obituary page. "She loved fishing, singing, and going to the beach."

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Her mother, Sherrie Newton, shared an old video of Ashley singing for her as Newton fought cancer.

“I mean she raised me & anyone that truly knows me, knows I'm a fighter!!” Ashley wrote about Newton in the 2020 post.

The family was not available for further comments. An investigation is ongoing, Terry said in a press release.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

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