A Michigan man allegedly murdered his wife and three children under the age of 10 last Friday before authorities believe he attempted to kill himself but survived.
The 51-year-old father, whose name is being withheld, allegedly shot to death his 40-year-old wife Dawn Gillard and his children, six-year-old Katelynn, four-year-old Ronald, and three-year-old Joshua, the Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release.
Authorities said the father then attempted to take his own life and suffered a gunshot wound to the head but survived. “The male was transported to Spectrum Health Big Rapids Hospital, later transferred to Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, before being transferred to University of Michigan Hospital, where he continues to be in critical condition for his injuries,” the sheriff’s department said.
Deputies responded after someone outside a house called 911 to report shots being fired in the home near Big Rapids around 2:30 Friday afternoon, according to MLive. When deputies arrived, they found the mother and three children dead and the suspect still alive but severely injured.
“We’re not exactly sure what the circumstances were,” Sheriff Dan Miller said. “It’s tragic by all accounts.”
Miller said the alleged murders shocked the small west Michigan community. “We have a very tight-knit community in Mecosta,” he said. “There’s no better place I’d rather raise my kids at.”
The investigation is still ongoing, but authorities expect the father to be charged when he recovers, Law & Crime reported.
“The matter continues to be under investigation with no information gathered at this time to indicate what led to the tragic event,” the sheriff’s office wrote. “The MCSO will be forwarding the report to the Mecosta Prosecutor’s Office to review for charges against male in relation to the actions leading to the four deaths. The male’s name is being withheld until he is arrested and formally charged.”
Source: Dailywire
