Dad and three kids, 20, 15 and 11, shot dead in family home by brother in law who then turned gun on himself
A DAD and his three kids have all been shot dead in their family home by their uncle who then turned the gun on himself.
Mitchell Lapa, 48, killed Chris Traynor, 50, and three of the Traynor children – aged 11, 15 and 20 – when he arrived at their home uninvited in Oshawa, 60km east of Toronto.
Bradley Traynor, 20, Adelaide Traynor, 15, Joseph Traynor, 11, all died in the mass shooting at the family home on Parklane Ave on Friday morning.
A 50-year-old woman identified by neighbours as Chris’s wife, Loretta, was also injured in the shooting and continues to recover in hospital.
Durham Regional Police have identified the shooter as 48-year-old Mitchell Lapa, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, saying he was an “uninvited person” to the home.
Lapa, later identified as a relative of the family, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The Toronto Sun reports he is a brother of Loretta.
The vehicle located at the scene with Manitoba plates was found to be registered to Lapa.
The Homicide Unit is still investigating the motive for the shooting.
“Investigators also want to speak to anyone who knew the lone attacker, Mitchell Lapa, as they seek to understand the motivation and reasons for this attack,” Durham police said in a statement Sunday.
“If anyone has details or background information about him, they are asked to contact their local police service or one of our lead investigators.”
Condolences for the Traynor family have been pouring in on social media, with many describing the family as generous, caring and deeply involved in the local sports community.
Neighbours described the family as caring deeply for each other, and said they were often seen spending time playing games and doing chores together in the yard.
“The Traynor family were beloved and active members of the Oshawa community,” reads a GoFundMe page set up to support the surviving members of the family, which had raised more than $100,000 as of Monday.
“Their acts of kindness, love and generosity are unmatched. The impact the family had on everyone they touched will be forever remembered.”
The Durham Catholic District School Board’s director of education offered support to students and families who know the Traynors.
“Words cannot adequately express our profound shock and deep sorrow over this terrible event,” Tracy Barill said in a statement.
“As a Catholic community rooted in faith, we continue to pray for the family members and those affected most directly by this heartbreaking news.”
Ken Babcock, president of Baseball Oshawa, said Chris Traynor had coached with the program for many years, while Joseph Traynor was a member of the Legionaires rep team.
“Words cannot describe the shocking and senseless tragedy that has struck our wonderful community in Oshawa and impacted our collective baseball family,” Babcock said in a statement.
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The City of Oshawa announced that flags would be lowered to half-mast at city hall and other facilities.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends during this difficult time,” Mayor Dan Carter said in a statement, while thanking police and first responders.
