A grieving mother identified a woman who police say was shot and killed by her ex-boyfriend who then shot himself in front of their children during a custody exchange in Upper Darby. In an interview with NBC10 on Monday, Darlene Snowden described her daughter Shantal Snowden, 34, as an excellent mother. Loved ones also said Shantal had a heart for giving back to others. “She loved her kids,” Darlene said. “She did everything to make sure their life was as beautiful as possible.” On Friday, Dec. 26, shortly after noon, Shantal met her 45-year-old ex-boyfriend and father of two of her three children near the corner of Locust Street and Copley Road, investigators said. Shantal was in the driver’s seat of her car while her three children – ages 1, 4, and 6 – were in the backseat. The 45-year-old man went into the car and started arguing with Shantal, investigators said. He then took out a gun and shot Shantal before shooting himself in front of the three children, according to police. “It was always an explosion of anger. Just verbally,” Darlene said. “He never hit her but he was always unpredictable. The type of person you could never calm down if he got upset.” If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), visiting www.thehotline.org or texting LOVEIS to 22522. Shantal was pronounced dead at the scene while her ex-boyfriend was taken to the hospital. The children were not physically hurt during the incident, investigators said. Darlene told NBC10 a neighbor grabbed the kids immediately after the shooting. “I want to thank the person who took them out of the car and took them to safety,” Darlene said while in tears. “I want to thank that person because it could have been them. They were right there. And I would assume that in his state of mind he did not care.” A photo of Shantal Snowden and one of her three children. Darlene said her daughter left her ex-boyfriend about a year and a half ago and married a man who she described as “wonderful.” Darlene also told NBC10 that police informed her on Monday the ex-boyfriend had died after being taken off life support. NBC10 reached out to Upper Darby Police and the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office to confirm. We have not yet heard back from them. As Darlene continues to mourn her daughter, she’s also focused on her three grandchildren who are dealing with the traumatic loss of their mother. “They wake up at night and they are crying. They’re screaming,” Darlene said. “And I have to hold them and tell them everything is all right. That their mom is in heaven. And they ask when can they talk to her and I say, ‘We will talk to her when we pray.’” ...read more read less