4 dead in suspected Indiana triple homicide, suicide, police say

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Police conducting a welfare check in a Bloomington, Indiana, community Sunday morning discovered the bodies of four family members believed to be the victims of a murder-suicide.

According to police, a friend of one of the victims went to the South Olcott Boulevard home at around 10 a.m. When no one answered the door, she used her key, walked to the victim’s room, found his body and immediately called 911, WTHR reported.

Investigators discovered four people dead from gunshot wounds with preliminary evidence indicating a “61-year-old man had shot and killed his 54-year-old wife, his 26-year-old daughter, and his 18-year-old son before shooting himself,” WXIN reported.

No motive for the shootings has been determined.

Isaiah Lopez, a friend of the 18-year old victim, told WTHR he came to the home Sunday to pay respects to his friend whom he knew since the seventh grade.

“It makes me go back in my mind and think about those good moments. I’ll cherish them even more than I already did now that he’s gone,” Lopez said. “He was a great friend. He was great with advice. He was just there for me a lot. And I’m glad he was my friend throughout the years.”

Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton issued a statement urging residents to take care of themselves and their neighbors and sharing resources to do so.

“All of Bloomington mourns today, after we lost a family in an apparent triple homicide and suicide. … It reminds us how important it is to take care of each other — to offer a helping hand, a listening ear, or a sturdy shoulder to family, friend, or neighbors. It reminds us how much we share in common and how fragile life can be. It reminds us that if any of us is having a rough time, facing overwhelming challenges, or feeling unable to cope, there are places to get help and support,” Hamilton stated.

Cox Media Group