In July of 2015, Mary Scruggs returned to her home in Cleveland, Ohio, to find her son Christopher outside in the driveway threatening his pregnant girlfriend Christian Marie Njorodge with a gun while Christian pleaded for her life. Despite Mary’s entreaties, Christopher shot and killed Christian and then turned the gun on himself.
Emergency responders rushed Christian to Metro Health Medical Center where doctors successfully delivered the couple’s first baby via C-section. The 34-year-old Christian subsequently died. Christopher, who was also taken to Metro Health Medical Center, also died. At first, the birth of the baby girl was a bright spot for the families in an otherwise tragic episode. Unfortunately, the three-month premature baby passed away days later while in the intensive care unit.
Mary, who lived with the childhood sweethearts, believed that Christopher suffered from posttraumatic stress disorder from his time serving as a staff sergeant in the United States Air Force. Before the shooting, Christopher had been studying to become a police officer while Christian had been working as a nurse.
Christian had two children from previous relationships. Their home was located near East 114th Street and Superior Avenue.