Authorities in Prattville, Alabama are investigating a double homicide following the shooting death of a pregnant woman and her unborn child.
Hunter James Tatum, 25, was arrested after midnight on Monday after police responded to his home to find his wife, Summer Knight Tatum, 26, unresponsive with a reported gunshot wound to the head.
The Victim Was Five Months Pregnant With Her First Child.
Summer was five months pregnant with her first child, WSFA reported and found court documents stating that a gunshot wound to the head was the likely cause of death for the young woman and her unborn child.
After authorities found the victim, she was rushed to Baptist South Medical Center in Montgomery where she was placed on life support. Her baby was delivered at the hospital and was rushed to the NICU. Both died on Monday morning, Chief Assistant District Attorney C.J. Robinson confirmed to the Montgomery Advisor.
Hunter Tatum was charged with two counts of murder, Police Chief Mark Thompson also confirmed to the outlet. Hunter was processed in the Autauga Metro Jail Monday afternoon under a $400,000 total bond. According to court records, Hunter didn’t yet have an attorney by Monday afternoon.
Capital murder charges are also a possibility, District Attorney Robinson said. Capital charges can be filed in cases involving the death of a child under 12 and those that involve two or more victims from the same criminal act, the Montgomery Advisor reported.
“We still need to see the forensics and autopsy results,” Robinson explained. “But capital murder charges are definitely on the table. We stand ready to speak for these two victims.”
The family of the victim launched a GoFundMe campaign following her death to raise money for funeral expenses. According to the family, Summer planned to name her first child Everett.
“She was so excited about becoming a mother and it was just a mere 4 months away,” Summer’s family shared.
Her family described the mom-to-be as someone who “always had a huge smile on her face and loved life.”
“Her family and friends will definitely miss her and what could have been,” the family also said. “She was always destined for great things. She will truly be missed by everyone, but missed most by those who knew her best.”
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According to the victim’s Facebook page, she and Hunter married in May of 2019 after dating for four years. They moved into their home, where the alleged double homicide occurred, in August of 2020.