An Indiana man is facing serious charges after allegedly shooting his estranged wife, who was five months pregnant, in the back. The shooting resulted in the death of the unborn child and left the woman critically injured. Authorities responded to the scene on East Pleasant Run Parkway in Indianapolis on Sunday evening, where they found 25-year-old Kayla Netherland in the bathroom with multiple gunshot wounds. Despite efforts to stabilize her, doctors were unable to save the baby, though Netherland remains in the hospital.
According to the police, Netherland’s estranged husband, 36-year-old Jeremy McBride, was seen by a friend shortly after the shooting. The friend, who had arrived to do laundry, entered the home and found McBride standing over Netherland’s body. He reportedly made no attempt to explain himself and simply walked out of the house. The friend immediately suspected McBride was responsible for the shooting. Police later tracked McBride down using license plate readers and pulled him over. When approached by officers, McBride got out of the car, which then rolled into a pole. He allegedly told the officer he had planned to turn himself in and asked about the condition of his estranged wife. Police found the weapon used in the shooting, along with handwritten notes from McBride to Netherland, which expressed his frustration with their relationship.
In the notes, McBride wrote about his anger over Netherland’s infidelity, his insecurities, and his feelings of inadequacy. He described how he had hoped for a future with her and wanted children, but felt that he had failed to become the person she would want to have a family with. McBride also expressed his anger over Netherland’s pregnancy, noting that although they had not yet divorced, she had become pregnant by another man. The couple had been separated since September, but McBride reportedly still hoped for reconciliation.
After being read his Miranda rights, McBride admitted to detectives that he had been upset about the pregnancy and the state of their relationship. He allegedly said that, despite their separation, he had hoped Netherland would eventually return to him. He also expressed deep remorse for his actions, saying, “Maybe she will come back one day, but not for me. But in many ways, I killed her.” McBride is accused of purchasing a gun and ammunition several days before the shooting with the intent to kill both Netherland and the unborn child, as well as himself.
The shooting occurred on the day of the incident when McBride and Netherland were spending time together. They had gone shopping at a Goodwill store before returning to her home. McBride reportedly sat on the bed while Netherland went into the bathroom, and it was in that moment that he decided to shoot her. He fired five shots into her back, and according to McBride, she never saw him shoot her. McBride claimed that the decision to shoot her “made sense in that moment.”
Netherland underwent two surgeries—one to remove the fetus and another to address her internal injuries. She remains in the hospital, and her recovery is ongoing. McBride is currently being held at the Marion County Jail without bond. He is facing charges of attempted murder and feticide, and authorities have emphasized the severity of his actions, with local prosecutors noting the extensive steps McBride took to carry out his plan.
This tragic incident highlights the destructive power of unresolved emotional turmoil and the devastating consequences of violence in relationships. It also underscores the importance of addressing mental health and emotional well-being before situations escalate to violence. The case continues to unfold as investigators gather more details about McBride’s motives and actions leading up to the shooting.
