14 February 2024 , 08:37
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A man shot dead his wife in a bathtub before killing the couple's four-year-old twins and turning the gun on himself in a horrific murder-suicide.
San Mateo Police confirmed a 9mm pistol and loaded magazine were discovered in the family's California home after the husband is believed to have shot dead his wife. The two young children were also found but weren't shot dead.
The family of four, who have not been named by authorities, was found dead inside the home on Monday after a 911 call prompted a police welfare check at the location.
When officers arrived and checked the exits of the home they found no signs of forced entry. Police did not reveal where the concerned phone came from. However, according to a neighbour, a grandmother of the kids asked for a welfare check because she could not contact the family, nor could the new nanny.
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Police received a concerned call after not hearing from the family for a while (Youtube/San Mateo PD)"Based on the information we have at this time, this appears to be an isolated incident with no danger to the public as we are confident the person responsible was located within the home," San Mateo PD said.
"This investigation continues as detectives work to gather evidence, speak to witnesses and family members, and determine a possible motive.'
Police told worried neighbours it was an isolated incident and there was no threat to the public. Despite cops trying to reassure the neighbourhood, many have been left shaken by the incident.
Matthew Sheldon and his daughter, Marianne, have both lived in the area their entire lives and said they've never seen anything like this. "There's hardly any deaths in this area ever," Matthew said.
Cops are investigating the murder-suicide (Youtube/San Mateo PD)Other neighbours noted that San Mateo, despite how relatively safe and quiet, isn't immune to death or tragedy.
"It seems like an isolated incident, but I’m really sorry things happened. It happens everywhere," said Thomas F. Lease. "I’m not going to walk in fear now."
The murder-suicide comes just months after a family of five was shot dead moments after relatives received a chilling text.
Cops in Washington were called to a home in Orchards after a family member received a horrifying message from a person at the home claiming they had "harmed others". A drone was launched by officers to appear inside the home and showed people who appeared to be dead.
The Southwest Washington Regional SWAT team was called to the incident after reports of a potential firearm and entered the home with emergency services who found all five family members dead.
The victims have not been named, but officials confirmed all of the deceased were adults. They also added there is no further threat to public safety. Clark County Sheriff’s Sgt. Chris Skidmore said the deaths at the home appeared to be a murder-suicide.
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Clark County Sheriff's Office said in a statement: "On 12/3/2023 at 13:06 hours, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) responded to a welfare check in the 11500 Block of NE 93rd Street in the Orchards Neighborhood of Vancouver, WA.
"A reporting party had requested CCSO check on their family after receiving a text message from a family member stating they had harmed others at the residence."