Chapter 1: The Tragic Events Unfold

On January 8, 2022, authorities responded to a distressing scene at the residence of Brook Park's Sarah Smith-Carter. They found her in a state of anguish after her nine-month-old daughter, Alice, was shot dead by her father, Martin Porter.

Following months of relentless harassment, Martin intruded into Sarah's home, demanding to see his child. Tragically, he shot Sarah in the leg, killed baby Alice, and then turned the gun on himself. During this horrific incident, Sarah’s other child, Sienna, along with two other kids, remained hidden under a bed, escaping physical harm.

Reports indicate that Sarah and Martin had a tumultuous relationship, which had ended the previous year. Sarah's fears escalated when Martin began exhibiting aggressive behavior, particularly during arguments. She officially severed ties after a domestic dispute while pregnant with Alice.

In the months after their separation, Martin allegedly pursued Sarah obsessively, prompting her to file multiple complaints with the Brook Park police. Documented records reveal that between August 2021 and January 8, 2022, Sarah had sought police assistance on four occasions regarding Martin’s harassment.

After Alice was born, Sarah permitted Martin to see their child, but this approach quickly turned problematic as he refused to leave her home after visits.

Chapter 2: The Escalation of Violence

Martin's harassment soon escalated to relentless emails and phone calls. Although local law enforcement provided Sarah with guidance on blocking his communications, he resorted to appearing uninvited at her home.

On the night of January 8, the situation reached a horrifying peak. Earlier that day, police had issued an arrest warrant for Martin due to his harassment, but he was untraceable when they arrived at his location.

Later that evening, armed and determined, Martin forcibly entered Sarah’s home. Surviving the attack, Sarah recounted the terrifying ordeal, expressing relief that her children, including six-year-old Sienna, were shielded from the violence as they hid.

Sarah shared her belief that Martin targeted little Alice to inflict on her the pain of losing a child, something she dreaded. When he shot her, he broke her femur, incapacitating her and forcing her to endure the horror of hearing him take their lives, including his own.

In the aftermath, Sarah faced a painful reminder of the tragedy, as medical intervention required the insertion of a rod and screws into her leg.

The incident has shone a light on the obstacles victims face when trying to escape their abusers. Although Sarah sought a restraining order against Martin, she was informed she did not meet the necessary criteria, as he hadn't explicitly threatened her.

Reflecting on the event