News Summary
A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded in Westland, Michigan, when 20-year-old college student Sarah Carroll was shot and killed by her ex-boyfriend in a murder-suicide. Sarah had been seeking a restraining order against him amid reports of stalking. Her family mourns the loss while highlighting the need for better mental health awareness and support to prevent such incidents. A vigil was held to honor her memory, and a GoFundMe campaign has been established for funeral expenses, showcasing community support during this difficult time.
Westland, Michigan – A tragic incident occurred on Saturday, August 30, 2025, when 20-year-old college student Sarah Carroll was fatally shot by her ex-boyfriend, identified only as Lincoln. The shooting took place at the Woodland Villa Apartments, approximately 25 miles from Detroit. Following the incident, Lincoln called 911 to report that he had killed Carroll before turning the gun on himself, resulting in a murder-suicide, as confirmed by the Westland police.
According to reports, Jennifer Carroll, Sarah’s mother, indicated that her daughter had been seeking a restraining order against Lincoln ahead of the shooting. The relationship, which lasted nearly a year, had deteriorated over the past two months, with incidents of stalking being reported. Jennifer was reportedly unaware of the stalking despite the severity of the situation.
James Carroll, Sarah’s father, stated that Lincoln was suffering from mental illness at the time of the shooting and noted that his daughter was shot multiple times with a shotgun. He raised concerns about the importance of seeking help for individuals experiencing mental health issues to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
Sarah was a dedicated student at Schoolcraft College, working towards a career as a physician assistant and had been recognized for her academic achievements, including being on the dean’s list. Her family described her as kind and loving, someone who brought joy to those around her.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to assist with funeral expenses, celebrating Sarah’s bravery and intelligence. Her parents expressed their gratitude for the overwhelming community support received through donations and kind words during this difficult time.
A candlelit vigil and balloon release took place shortly after her death to honor Sarah’s memory and to unite the community in mourning. The Westland Police Department has announced plans to provide further information regarding the investigation into the murder-suicide as it unfolds.
This heartbreaking incident sheds light on the serious issue of intimate partner violence and the importance of mental health awareness. The Carroll family hopes that their tragic experience will encourage parents to take mental health concerns seriously in order to protect their children.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Oxygen: Sarah Carroll Shot in Suspected Murder-Suicide
- Wikipedia: Intimate Partner Violence
- Kansas City Star: College Student Gunned Down
- Google Search: Sarah Carroll Murder Suicide
- Fox News: College Student Gunned Down by Ex-Boyfriend
- Google Scholar: Murder Suicide Mental Health
- New York Post: Michigan College Student Killed
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Mental Health
- Cleveland 19: Michigan Man Charged with Murder
- Google News: Sarah Carroll Shooting
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
