Crime & Safety

Mother of Barrow County Shooting Victim Says Daughter's Boyfriend was Abusive

The mother of a 34-year-old Auburn woman who was fatally shot Monday spoke to Fox 5 News.

If you or someone you know is the victim of domestic abuse, we encourage you to contact Peace Place, a shelter that assists battered women and their children. Services are confidential and free. for more information. 

The mother of a told Fox 5 News the man behind the gun, her daughter's boyfriend, was abusive.

Police say Betsy Maddox, 34, was fatally shot Monday, April 16, 2012, by 29-year-old Shuaid Zaid Omar, who then turned a gun on himself during a standoff with law enforcement. Omar later died from his injuries at Gwinnett Medical Center. 

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Omar also shot Monica Ann Long, a friend and neighbor who rushed to help Maddox. Long remains hospitalized. 

Maddox's mother, Hall County resident Betty Samples, told Fox 5 her daughter had tried to pull away from Omar for months.

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Fox 5 reports the family is struggling to pull together $3,500 by Saturday to pay for Betsy's funeral.

A fundraiser for the victims’ families is planned from noon to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Infusion Restaurant and Sports Lounge at 189 W. Athens St. in Winder. 

Donations can be made directly to the Memorial Park South Funeral Home in Flowery Branch.

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