Ralph Donald’s family shared videos of him happily playing with his little girl. Now he’s suspected of shooting his ex-girlfriend before taking his own life in suspected Darwin murder-suicide

EXCLUSIVE

A mother is fighting for life after being shot by her ex-partner in a suspected murder-suicide attempt.

Ralph Donald, 35, shot his estranged partner at his family’s Millner home in Darwin’s northern suburbs about 6.30pm on Tuesday before turning the gun on himself.

Donald died at the scene while his ex, 38, suffered injuries to her abdomen and was rushed to the Royal Darwin Hospital where she remains in a critical condition.

Daily Mail Australia understands the injured woman is an Irish national and the former couple share a young daughter.

Donald’s family declined to comment when contacted Thursday.

Videos posted online over the past 12 months show Donald playing with the couple’s young child at his parents’ Sprigg St home, where he would later commit suicide.

In the comments section, family members noted that the child “looks like daddy.”

His 38-year-old ex-partner is fighting for his life in hospital

Detective Paul Morrissey told reporters on Wednesday that the couple had both lived in the house “at different times.”

The woman had reportedly been staying in a domestic violence shelter and had returned home alone with their child to collect belongings with the intention of leaving her partner.

An unnamed neighbor described what happened as an “ambush” and claimed the woman was invited back inside by the gunman.

“The level of domestic violence in this city is appalling,” he said.

‘It comes across differently when it’s on your street.’

Another neighbor, Kim Leonard-Bond, said Donald’s brother performed chest compressions on one of the two shots before paramedics arrived.

Mrs Leonard-Bond said she had known the family since the brothers were boys.

“I just think as a mother…I just think, oh my God, how do you deal with the loss of your child, let alone someone who committed suicide in your house?” she said.

Detectives were called to the house in Sprigg St (pictured) at around 6.30pm on Tuesday evening

Videos posted online show Donald with his daughter at his family’s home, where the tragedy occurred on Tuesday

Friends were seen visiting the home Wednesday morning as a man quietly cried in his car just yards from the home.

Detective Morrissey could not confirm whether Donald had a history of domestic violence or whether the woman was in a shelter.

However, he did confirm that other family members were in the home during the shooting.

‘It’s worrying for the neighbours. It is of course distressing for family members and friends of the people involved and also a confrontational situation for emergency workers,” he said.

He said the investigation is still in its early stages but does not expect any arrests in the suspected suicide attempt.

Detectives also interviewed local residents and sought witnesses.

A report is being prepared for the coroner.

For confidential support, call Lifeline 24/7 on 13 11 14 or 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732