Boy arrested after ‘shooting dead three children and a woman’ in Utah family massacre
A BOY has been arrested on suspicion of shooting dead three children and a woman inside a family home in Utah. Police attended the house in the Salt Lake City suburb of Grantsville after a neighbour heard gunshots at around 7.30pm on Friday night and phoned 911. They later confirmed that an adult female, two […]
A BOY has been arrested on suspicion of shooting dead three children and a woman inside a family home in Utah.
Police attended the house in the Salt Lake City suburb of Grantsville after a neighbour heard gunshots at around 7.30pm on Friday night and phoned 911.
They later confirmed that an adult female, two juvenile females, and one juvenile male had been found dead inside a property at 93 Eastmoor Drive.
The neighbour who contacted police had also driven an injured adult male and the suspected shooter, who is under 18, to a hospital, where the younger man was taken into custody.
Police are yet to identify any of those involved, but have confirmed all four victims, the injured man, and the suspected shooter were related, the Associated Press reported.
The family is reported to also have an older son who is a student at Utah Valley University.
After news of the shooting emerged, he posted to Facebook: “Anyone in Grantsville know [what] is going on???
“I can’t get ahold of my family and they live on the street where the shooting happened.”
Several hours later, he posted that he was with his father, who he confirmed was in a stable condition, and thanked commenters for their support.
“I just want to thank you all for your prayers and your support toward me and my dad,” he wrote.
“All I can ask is for your continued support. Seriously, thank you.”
‘OUR HEARTS ARE BROKEN’
Grantsville Police Corporal Rhonda Fields said there were no reports of criminal history at the home or of police having been called there in the past.
She added that no motive for the shooting had yet been established.
The alleged shooter as been charged as a juvenile with ten 10 counts, the most serious being aggravated homicide.
Laurie Bahe, a neighbour of 25 years in the small, tight-knit community, said the family were “happy” and “outgoing” and never missed a block party.
Patty Deakin-Daley, the administrator of an active community Facebook page named Tooele County 411 posted Saturday: “We are a loving, kind, and supportive community.
“Let us rally around this young man and his dad.”
Utah governor Gary Herbert tweeted: “Our hearts are broken by the horrible news coming out Grantsville tonight.
“We mourn over the loss of innocent lives.
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“Parents and grandparents, secure your firearms! Everyone, hug your loved ones tight.
“And remember love, not hate, will heal broken individuals and families.”
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