A man from Ohio allegedly shot his wife and three children before taking his own life in a murder-suicide that left their family, neighbors, and friends shocked.
The bodies of 44-year-old John Nelson, his wife 35-year-old Robin, and their three young children, 6-year-old Liam, 10-year-old Brianna, and 12-year-old Gavin, were found inside their home. Their pet dog was also found lifeless.
According to a statement released by Elyria Police, the case was a murder-suicide, with the father killing his spouse and kids before turning the gun on himself.
Police had been called to their Ohio home on Wednesday after John failed to go to work.
Neighbors also said that they heard screams and loud bangs on Tuesday evening but did not think it was something wrong.
In an interview with News5Cleveland, neighbor Enetta Hubbard said: “About 5.20 pm, I heard what sounded like firecrackers going off like ‘pop pop pop pop pop.”
Linda Bristow, another neighbor, also thought she just heard firecrackers and children screaming. “Now I know why they were running around and screaming,” she expressed.
The incident left relatives, friends, and neighbors in disbelief as the Nelsons had been making plans for the future.
Nelson’s cousin, Ben Runyon, said to Cleveland 19 that he knew “they were trying to get out of this neighborhood and move out to the country somewhere and he just wanted to stay busy with the kids and keep them out of trouble so none of this is making any sense, were just lost right now.
“They were a typical family. They kept the three kids busy.
“They were in baseball and volleyball and soccer and ballet. There was two boys and a girl and the wife worked as a nurse and he worked down the road at a plastic bag factory and he lived here his entire life.”
Elyria City Schools wrote on Facebook: “The Elyria community is grieving the loss of a family of five in a tragedy that occurred last night in the city.
“With profound sadness we must report that the three children who died—all siblings—were students in our school district. This devastating news has deeply shaken our staff and school community.”
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