Current:Home > ScamsA 10-year-old boy woke up to find his family dead: What we know about the OKC killings -Momentum Wealth Path
A 10-year-old boy woke up to find his family dead: What we know about the OKC killings
View
Date:2025-04-15 10:07:20
A 10-year-old boy woke up to find his mom, dad and three older brothers shot to death in what police believe to be a murder-suicide in Oklahoma City, authorities say.
The Oklahoma City Police Department said they believe the boy's father "systematically" went through the house between Sunday night and Monday morning shooting his sons after he shot his wife multiple times.
"Those children were hunted down and killed," said Master Sgt. Gary Knight, the assistant public information officer for the Oklahoma City Police Department, at a press conference Tuesday morning.
However, police say that the father left his youngest son, the 10-year-old who later called the police, unharmed.
"We don't know why he was left unharmed," said Knight. "I know that's the question everybody has, that's the question we have, too. In the end, nobody's ever gonna know the answer to that."
Murder-suicide investigation:Astrologer suspected of double murder-suicide on eclipse day thought 'apocalypse is here'
Who was killed?
According to police, the following were killed in the shooting:
- 39-year-old female- Police say she was the mother of the children and wife of the suspect.
- 42-year-old male- Suspect who police say died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after he shot his wife and three oldest sons.
- 18-year-old male- The oldest son of the couple. He would've turned 19 next month.
- 14-year-old male- Son of the couple who was also shot.
- 12-year-old male- Son of the couple and youngest murder victim. He just turned 12 in March.
What happened?
Around 9:35 a.m. Monday morning, the child called police and alerted them to the incident at the house near Yukon, roughly 20 miles west of downtown Oklahoma City.
When police arrived, Knight said they found the 10-year-old outside before they went into the house, where they found the five bodies that belonged to the people listed above.
After confirming they could not save anyone in the house, Knight said they left and waited for a warrant so they could process the scene.
Knight adds that the boy was placed in the custody of a relative, but did not specify who.
According to Knight, investigators determined that the suspected shooter got into an altercation with his wife. It ended when he armed himself with a gun and shot her multiple times.
Police say victims were found in different parts of the home
He then went through the house and killed his sons. The motive for the killings is unknown, said Knight. He added that the bodies were found in different areas of the two-story house.
One of the male victims and the female victim were found downstairs, while two of the male victims were found upstairs. At least one of the male victims was shot in bed, Knight told USA TODAY. But, aside from the female victim, he is not sure who was shot where.
Knight told USA TODAY that police believe the suspected shooter began his rampage downstairs, then went upstairs before returning to the first floor and killing himself.
Family was flying 'under the radar', Sgt. Knight says
At the press conference, Knight added that there was no known history of domestic problems between the couple, but said police are going to speak with friends and family to see if they know of anything else about their relationship.
He told USA TODAY that police had no calls or reports of any domestic violence from the family.
"We had no indication that anything like this was going to happen," said Knight.
He said usually when people "annihilate" their families like this, there is a history of domestic violence reports and protection orders, but he said this family was "really flying under the radar."
veryGood! (443)
Related
- Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
- Judge rejects replacing counsel for man charged with shooting 3 Palestinian college students
- Vanderpump Rules' Scheana Shay Slams Rude Candace Cameron Bure After Dismissive Meeting
- Idaho prosecutor says he’ll seek death penalty against inmate accused of killing while on the lam
- Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
- Aerosmith Announces Retirement From Touring After Steven Tyler's Severe Vocal Cord Injury
- Watch these Oklahoma Police officers respond to a horse stuck in a swimming pool
- 'We feel deep sadness': 20-year-old falls 400 feet to his death at Grand Canyon
- All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
- Arizona governor negotiates pause in hauling of uranium ore across Navajo Nation
Ranking
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- Aerosmith Announces Retirement From Touring After Steven Tyler's Severe Vocal Cord Injury
- Boxing fiasco sparks question: Do future Olympics become hunt for those who are different?
- Coca-Cola to pay $6 billion in IRS back taxes case while appealing judge’s decision
- The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
- Idaho prosecutor says he’ll seek death penalty against inmate accused of killing while on the lam
- Noah Lyles gets second in a surprising 100m opening heat at Olympics
- Pregnant Cardi B Asks Offset for Child Support for Baby No. 3 Amid Divorce
Recommendation
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
About half of US state AGs went on France trip sponsored by group with lobbyist and corporate funds
When does Simone Biles compete next? Olympics gymnastics schedule for vault final
Brooklyn Peltz Beckham Shares Photo From Hospital After Breaking His Shoulder
New Mexico governor seeks funding to recycle fracking water, expand preschool, treat mental health
What’s the deal with the Olympics? Your burning questions are answered
Arizona governor negotiates pause in hauling of uranium ore across Navajo Nation
TikTok’s Most Viral Products Are on Sale at Amazon Right Now Starting at $4.99