Who was Sarah Carroll? Michigan college student shot dead by ex in murder-suicide

A 20-year-old college student from Michigan, Sarah Carroll, was fatally shot by her ex-boyfriend in a devastating murder-suicide after enduring months of stalking and harassment. The incident occurred on Saturday, August 30, at the Woodland Villa Apartments near Detroit, as reported by Fox 2.

The suspect, identified only as Lincoln, reportedly shot Carroll before calling 911 to confess and then took his own life. Westland Police confirmed the case as a murder-suicide upon arrival at the scene.

A GoFundMe campaign created in Carroll’s memory paints a picture of a young woman filled with promise and light. She is described as “smart, brave, strong,” with “a smile that lit up every room she entered.” The page notes that she was “only just beginning her journey.” The fundraiser, organized for her parents, James and Jennifer Carroll, aims to help with funeral expenses. “We are asking for help to cover her funeral expenses so we can lay her to rest with the love and dignity she deserves,” the page states.

Carroll had been in a relationship with Lincoln for nearly a year before their breakup. According to her mother, Jennifer, the relationship became troubling, and Lincoln began stalking her daughter in the two months leading up to the fatal shooting. “She was with Lincoln, her ex-boyfriend, for almost a year and they were having trouble,” Jennifer said. “He was stalking her for the past two months. And he came here last night, shot her, called 911, said he killed his girlfriend, and then shot himself.”

Jennifer revealed that Sarah never told her or her father about the stalking. She now urges other parents to stay engaged in their children’s lives. “To other parents – watch your kids,” she said. “Try to get more into their life, try to get them to be open and talk to you.”

Sarah’s father, James, shared that the gunman had been struggling with mental health issues and used a shotgun in the attack. “If their children are suffering from mental illness, get them some help. Get them the help that they need before something like this happens,” he said.

James described his daughter as someone who brought joy to everyone around her. “She was loved by everybody. Everybody she met,” he said. “She was wonderful. I’m going to miss my baby.” Sarah was pursuing a degree to become a physician assistant at Schoolcraft College.

Following the tragedy, loved ones took to social media to remember Sarah and express their heartbreak. James wrote in a Facebook post, “I lost my sweet daughter last night. Any help you can give is greatly appreciated. Thank you my friends.”

In a later post, he thanked the community for its overwhelming support: “I just want to take a moment to thank all of my family and friends who showed up for the vigil tonight and those that couldn’t be there but were there in spirit. I would also like to give my heartfelt thanks to all of the people that have helped us out through gofundme. Your love and generosity are extremely appreciated in our time of need. You all have my endless thanks.”

Jennifer shared her own message of grief: “My poor sweet girl is gone I’m so broken and in shock. forever 20”.

Sarah’s cousin, Ann Quinlan, honored her memory on Facebook, calling her “beautiful, sweet, and smart,” and writing, “we will forever be mourning her loss.”

Friend Aaliyah Wright, who knew Sarah since middle school, remembered her as a bright and funny person who always kept people laughing. “She was so funny, she would always keep adding onto any joke to keep everyone laughing and gasping for air, and she was beautiful, she was everything any girl would ever want to be,” Wright posted.

She also addressed the ongoing issue of violence and loss:
“When we lost our friend Rocky to suicide, it hit our entire friend group that nobody is promised tomorrow and we were so young then. Even now at 20, she was way too young and undeserving to be taken from us in such a way. I am devastated and genuinely angry that my friends and family keep becoming victims of violence, absolutely nobody deserves this and it needs to stop. Please check in on your loved ones and remember that you are never alone, there is always help if you need it, whether if you’re in an abusive relationship or if you’re receiving threats from someone, please call law enforcement, because no family and no friend should have to go through this. I’m praying for you and your family, I love you so dearly Sarah, rest easy.”