Richmond mother killed hours before 34th birthday, leaving behind a newborn

RICHMOND, Va. — A Richmond family is mourning the death of a woman who police say was shot and killed by the father of her newborn child just a day before her 34th birthday.

The Richmond Police Department said that 33-year-old Johnnita Russell was shot inside a home on Hunt Avenue around 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 24. She died at the scene.

Investigators identified the suspected shooter as 57-year-old Michael Sprauge, the father of Russell’s newborn daughter. Police said Sprauge was arrested Monday, Aug. 23 and charged with shooting into an occupied dwelling and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Neighbors said the violence came as a shock.

“It’s real sad -- it’s just real sad," said Leceisha Brown, who lives on the same street. "I’ve lived here for seven years and nothing like this has ever happened."

33-year-old Johnnita Russell. (Photo: April Russell)

Charles Willis, executive director of United Communities Against Crime, said the shooting’s impact reaches beyond the family.

“To inflict violence in a neighborhood that is traumatizing not only to the immediate family, but to every community member that is out here in this neighborhood,” he said.

According to a GoFundMe shared by the family, the shooting was an act of domestic violence that happened the night before Russell’s 34th birthday. The family said Russell's daughter was born just days earlier and that she is still in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

“I’m sad for the baby -- now the baby doesn’t have parents,” Brown said.

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The GoFundMe states Russel’s sister has filed for emergency custody to care for the baby. Willis said his organization will be helping the family with immediate needs.

“We want to remind folks to keep the family in prayer," Willis said. "The family is bereaved right now. And this is a moment of mourning for everyone."

Police said Sprauge could be facing additional charges.