A mother was killed in front of her two young children after telling her new husband that he could not ‘shoot a girl,’ police say.
Josiah Ballinger, 42, was charged with second-degree murder after he allegedly shot and killed his wife, Rachael, 41, inside their Washington state home on Sunday.
Rachael’s 14-year-old son called police and said his mom had been shot by his stepfather, Spokane Police said.
Her nine-year-old son told investigators he heard his mother and Ballinger arguing in the basement, and that his stepfather wanted to leave, but Rachael wanted him to stay and talk, according to court documents obtained by The Spokesman-Review.
Ballinger started ‘pushing her and hurting her,’ and then pulled out a black handgun, the boy said.
Rachael then told her husband, ‘You can’t shoot a girl,’ and that he would ‘go to jail’ for the rest of his life if he did, court documents state.
The nine-year-old told police he watched Ballinger shoot his mom and then stepped over her body as he fled.
Her 14-year-old son said he was ‘so scared he could not cry,’ according to court records.
Josiah Ballinger, 42, was charged with second-degree murder after he allegedly shot and killed his wife, Rachael, 41, on Sunday
Rachael allegedly told her husband, ‘You can’t shoot a girl,’ and that he would ‘go to jail’ for the rest of his life if he did
Police arrived at the house and found Rachael with ‘injuries consistent with a gunshot wound.’
At the same time, another officer driving to the scene spotted Ballinger driving and pulled him over for a traffic stop to detain him.
Rachael succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ballinger was charged with second-degree murder and is being held at the Spokane County Jail on $1 million bond.
During a brief court appearance on Monday, a victim’s advocate read a statement on behalf of Rachael’s family, KREM reported.
Rachael allegedly contacted her family expressing ‘fear and concern about Josiah’s behavior’ just days before the shooting.
The couple had been married for just over a year, court records show.
‘She brought joy, laughter and love to everyone around her. Most importantly, two boys have lost their mother. Our family will carry the pain of this loss for the rest of our lives,’ the advocate said.
Ballinger was charged with second-degree murder and is being held at the Spokane County Jail on $1 million bond
Just days before she was killed, Rachael allegedly contacted her family expressing ‘fear and concern about Josiah’s behavior’
Rachael’s Instagram biography described her as a ‘Mother, daughter, sister, Veteran, auntie, friend, music lover, Gonzaga fan, coffee, craft beer & DIY addict.’
Tributes for the mother of two have started to pour in on social media.
‘Rest in peace, Rachael Ballinger, you were a solid friend and a great person,’ one person wrote on Facebook.
‘I’m truly at a loss for words to find out about the passing of my friend Rachael Ballinger. I literally texted her today checking in on her, not realizing,’ wrote another.
‘You stole such a loving, devoted mother from those boys.’
Ballinger’s next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday.
