A 42-year-old man shot and killed his five children, wife and mother-in-law before committing suicide in a town in the southern US state of Utah, local authorities confirmed Thursday.
The incident took place two weeks after the woman asked him for a divorce, according to authorities.
The first parts of the investigation “lead to believe that the suspect committed suicide after killing seven other people in the house”said in a statement the town of Enoch City, Utah, where the tragedy took place.
Police discovered the bodies, all with “gunshot wounds,” on Wednesday afternoon after receiving a phone call asking them to check the family’s status, the document said.
The five minors were between the ages of 4 and 17. The suspect also killed the 40-year-old wife and 78-year-old mother-in-law before taking her own life.
At a press conference, Enoch Mayor Geoffrey Chesnut said he had “filed for divorce” on Dec. 21 from the woman. Chesnut was the family’s neighbor.
The police of the small town of 7,000, located in southwestern Utah, more than four hours from the capital, Salt Lake City, had already referred the family.
‘We were involved in some investigations into this family a few years ago’said local police chief Jackson Ames.
However, he said there are no recent events that have raised concerns in the family.
The White House has already expressed regret over the tragedy, saying United States President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden were “in mourning with the people of Enoch City.”
“Many Americans have lost loved ones or had their lives turned upside down by violence”said White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre, quoted in a statement.
“Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this senseless violence”Utah Republican Governor Spencer Cox wrote on Twitter asking for prayers for the city’s residents.
According to the Gun Violence Archive website, 648 mass shootings were recorded in 2022, in which at least four people died or were injured. And 11 have already occurred during the first five days of 2023.
It was reported early this morning that eight people, including five children, were found dead of gunshot wounds at a home in southern Utah, according to officials, who did not provide further details.
The victims were found when the police carried out a welfare check in the home.
These checks are routine procedures when people are not seen for long periods of time.
Source: DN
