A 22-year-old animal rescuer from Alaska was killed while trying to stop her boyfriend of six years, Victor Sibson, from shooting himself in the head, according to KTVA Alaska. Evidence suggests that the one recovered bullet went through Sibson’s skull and penetrated the chest of his girlfriend-victim, Brittany-Mae Haag. The incident occurred in the couple’s apartment.

Brittany-Mae Haag (Source: Screenshot from KTVA Alaska news video)

Sibson, on the other hand, survived the self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was charged with 2nd-degree murder and, if convicted, faces 99 years in prison, as reported by the Chicago Tribune. He appeared in court on Sunday wearing a helmet for obvious reasons.

Victor Sibson is charged with 2nd-degree murder (Anchorage Police Department)

Who knows why Sibson wanted to end his life? In answering that question, Todd B. Kashdan, Ph.D., said that those who commit suicide “… don’t believe there is a reason to live and the world will be better off without them.” Whatever the reason, suicide affects more than the person taking his or her life. In a statement to KTVA Alaska, Lopez urges those contemplating suicide to “Just get help,” because suicide:

affects a whole bunch of different families, whoever’s around that person.”

[Her daughter] would come to my house with these dogs and ask me, ‘Mom, can you adopt this dog?’ No, Brittany, but thank you anyway.