According to police sources, a man shot his wife and two children to death before killing himself in New Jersey, United States, on Sunday.
People who knew the family were reportedly coming by the neighborhood and lighting candles to remember the four lives lost as they were still trying to make sense of the incident, according to CBS2. The family was reportedly quiet and kind, according to neighbors.
Found in the family of four that lived at 18 Chatham Place in Linden, New Jersey were Valentine’s Day balloons in the doorway, a Ford pickup truck in the driveway amongst other things.
CBS2 reports that police sources on Sunday morning said the husband shot his wife and their two children including a boy and a girl whose classmates said were 13 and 12 years old respectively, before killing himself.
Police further said that the husband, his wife and one of the children were found dead inside their home while the other child died later at University Hospital in Newark.
A neighbour identified as Omar Catalbas was quoted as saying, “I said hello to him a couple times. He doesn’t really say much.”
Neighbours also said that the husband, who was an electrician, was a quiet man, and the wife was a hair stylist who worked out of the home, and that she was always friendly while walking their dog.
Catalbas said, “She was always so nice, nice smile on her face every time never. Would think something was wrong,” adding that “When her daughter was younger her daughter would walk a fake dog, a little doggy, imitating her mom and stuff. Really cute.”
Classmates of the children on Sunday evening reportedly placed candles and balloons outside the home.
A neighbour identified as Digna Alvarez said, “I feel terrible today because I saw that kids since they born,” adding, “I never saw any fight in this house. It was very nice people. Family, very together family. They went in snow all the time together, playing in the snow, riding bicycles together.”
The New Jersey Governor, Phil Murphy, was quoted as saying that he is “closely monitoring the horrific shooting” and that his office will support Linden however possible as the city mourns.
Meanwhile, police told CBS2 they won’t be releasing any more information including the identities of the deceased until Monday.