Fairbanks, Alaska -- A 15-year-old boy fatally shot three of his siblings before turning the gun on himself and pulling the trigger.
The children’s parents were not home at the time of the incident, and three other kids inside the residence were unharmed.
The four children, aged 5, 8, 15 and 17, were found dead with gunshot wounds inside a house in Skyridge Drive Subdivision in Fairbanks Tuesday, Alaska State Troopers said in a statement.
Neighbors reportedly heard gunshots and went to the house, where they eventually discovered the bodies. A call was then made to 911, which led troopers to the residence that had rusted vehicles, children’s bikes and clutter left strewn outside, the New York Post reported.
“Investigation revealed a 15-year-old male shot the three siblings and then shot himself. He was found deceased with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound,” Alaska State Troopers said in the statement.
Three other siblings, all under the age of 7, were also inside the house during the shooting and were found without any injuries.
The surviving siblings “were not in the same part of the house” where the shots were fired, troopers spokesperson Tim DeSpain said Thursday, reported AP News.
The weapon used was a “family gun but beyond that, it’s all still part of the ongoing investigation,” DeSpain added.
Investigators have not revealed a motive behind the shooting. They found “no obvious reasons for why he shot three siblings and took his own life” while their parents were away.
“The only person — people — that know what really happened at that moment are deceased,” DeSpain said further.
Investigators firmly believe the siblings were not accidentally shot, and they think the incident was unplanned.
Meanwhile, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy acknowledged the incident in a Facebook post and said he and his wife “want to extend our sorrow and prayers to the family of this terrible tragedy.” “Please join us in lifting them up in prayer,” he wrote.
Shannon Watts, the founder of the group Moms Demand Action, a movement demanding public safety measures against gun violence, also released a statement following the incident. “An entire family and community are forever traumatized by a horrific, preventable act of gun violence because a 15-year-old was able to access a gun,” she said, as per AP News.
If you have thoughts of suicide, confidential help is available for free at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call 1-800-273-8255. The line is available 24 hours, every day.
Representative image Photo: Credit: Pixabay / fsHH
