Another case of murder-suicide in the United States leaves 2 dead and one 10-year-old boy injured in Alabama.

Christopher Narmore fatally shot her girlfriend Ashley Lynn McClung and severely injured Cayson McClung while protecting her 

By Edward Era Barbacena 

Police in Sheffield, Alabama, identified the fatal victim as Ashley Lynn McClung, 38, and her boyfriend as Christopher Narmore, 40, who later committed suicide, Chief Ricky Terry of the Sheffield Police Department confirms to PEOPLE . (A GoFundMe and memorial in her name, shared by McClung’s loved ones on social media, identify her as Ashley Lynn Newton and Ashley Lynn Newton McClung, respectively.)

 Her son, whom WAFF identified as 10-year-old Cayson McClung, citing a public statement from the principal of her school, was shot in the face and arm while trying to protect her, according to Terry. Ashley and Narmore got into an argument that “escalated” Sunday night, Terry tells PEOPLE. “The boyfriend had a gun and tried to shoot her mother and [Cayson] got into a fight with the boyfriend,” he says. “He raised his arm and that’s when the boyfriend shot the minor, then he shot the mother and then he committed suicide.” Cayson was seriously injured but was conscious when medics and police arrived, the chief says, and was able to tell authorities what happened.

Terry confirms to PEOPLE that the 10-year-old has undergone two surgeries and is in stable condition. “The doctors were able to save his arm,” he says. “A lot of the lead was removed from his face due to the gunshot wound.” In a Facebook post, New Bethel Elementary School acknowledged that Cayson was injured. “We are praying for all who are suffering today and coming together to provide support to Cayson,” the school’s post said. Since her death, friends and family have shared tributes to Ashley on social media, at GoFundMe fundraisers, and on her memorial page. 

In a Facebook post, her sister Tonya Willis said they are waiting for Cayson to be home before proceeding with any arrangements for Ashley. “Ashley was a loving and devoted mother, she attended all of her children’s sporting events and activities,” her obituary page reads. “She loved fishing, singing and going to the beach.” Her mother, Sherrie Newton, shared an old video of Ashley singing for her while Newton was battling cancer. “I mean she raised me and anyone who really knows me knows I’m a fighter!!” Ashley wrote about Newton in the 2020 post. The family was not available for further comment. An investigation is underway, Terry said in a news release.