Shavon Mitchell of Detroit, Michigan was trying to distance herself from an abusive relationship in the pandemic when things turned deadly.

“This situation was definitely one that she wanted to handle peacefully - but she wasn’t given the opportunity," Nicole Jones, Mitchell's aunt, told Fox 2 Detroit.

Her relationship with Kevin Fox, the 28-year-old father of her 5-year-old son, had gotten so bad that there was a pending court case involving domestic violence. But things didn’t start out that way.

Mitchell, 28, had began dating Fox when they were in high school, according to news reports. But she had had enough of his bouts of anger.

“She just didn’t understand how dangerous he really was and when she found out it was too late," Jones told the TV station.

Mitchell was fatally shot around 11:15 p.m. on November 30, 2020. “She was coming from work she thought she was safe. doing her normal thing,” Jones was quoted as saying.

After the murder, Mitchell’s family began to get text messages purportedly from Fox “bragging about what he had done,” Jones told the TV station.

Hours after the slaying, Detroit police officers were called to defend one of their precincts as a gunman opened fire on the building and a squad vehicle.

Police say Fox, armed with an AR—15 assault rifle, sprayed bullets outside the precinct, shattering glass and damaging property.

Officers returned fire, fatally striking Fox in the gunfight.

Police Chief James Craig said Fox tried to use 5-year-old son to sway Mitchell to stay with him.

“She was a victim of domestic violence for years and when she tried to walk away he tried to use her son as a pawn,” Jones said.

The young child is now being cared for by a loving family, according to Fox 2.

Domestic Violence Resources

• Resources For Women By State

• National Domestic Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY)

• VictimConnect

• Search: Domestic Violence And Abuse Shelters

• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence