Xmas Day killer was dressed as Santa
Source: Agencies |
December 27, 2011, Tuesday
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SIX members of a Texas family apparently opened Christmas presents just before a relative dressed as Santa Claus arrived, opened fire and killed them before killing himself, police said yesterday.
Grapevine police spokesman Sergeant Robert Eberling said yesterday the shooter "showed up shortly before the incident took place" in the Santa outfit and was a member of the family opening gifts in the apartment.
Eberling said the identity of the man and the victims would be released after autopsies were conducted yesterday.
A motive for the shootings remains unclear.
The four women and three men, aged 18 to 60, were found dead in an adjoining kitchen and living room area when police arrived at midday on Sunday, shortly after receiving a 911 call in which no one was on the line, Eberling said. Two handguns were found near the bodies, he said.
"It appears they had just celebrated Christmas. They had opened their gifts," Eberling said, adding that the apartment was decorated for the holiday, including a tree.
Eberling said it appears they all died of gunshot wounds. He said authorities still don't know what sparked the incident.
Grapevine Police Lieutenant Todd Dearing said investigators believe the victims were related, though some were visiting and didn't live in the apartment.
He said police are looking for relatives to inform of the deaths.
"Seven people in one setting in Grapevine, that's never happened before. Ever," Dearing said.
Police and firefighters first rushed to the Lincoln Vineyards complex after receiving the 911 call at about 11:30am, Eberling said. "There was an open line. No one was saying anything," he explained.
Police entered the apartment, in the middle-class neighborhood of Grapevine, near the upscale Fort Worth suburb of Colleyville. The apartment was at the back of the complex, overlooking the athletic fields of Colleyville Heritage High School.
But many of the nearby apartments are vacant, and police said no neighbors reported hearing anything on a quiet Christmas morning.
Jose Fernandez, a 35-year-old heavy equipment mechanic who moved to the complex with his family about six months ago, said he always felt safe in the area, but is now afraid to let his 10-year-old son play freely outside.
"This is really outrageous especially on Christmas," said Fernandez, who was visiting family and returned to find police cars outside his home.
"This has shocked everybody. It has scared everybody," he added.
Eberling agreed the area is fairly quiet, noting this would be the first homicide in Grapevine since 2010.
Christy Posch, a flight attendant who moved to the complex six months ago, said she lives a few buildings away and did not hear any gunshots.
"It's all families. That's why I moved here. No burglaries, no nothing," Posch said.
Grapevine police spokesman Sergeant Robert Eberling said yesterday the shooter "showed up shortly before the incident took place" in the Santa outfit and was a member of the family opening gifts in the apartment.
Eberling said the identity of the man and the victims would be released after autopsies were conducted yesterday.
A motive for the shootings remains unclear.
The four women and three men, aged 18 to 60, were found dead in an adjoining kitchen and living room area when police arrived at midday on Sunday, shortly after receiving a 911 call in which no one was on the line, Eberling said. Two handguns were found near the bodies, he said.
"It appears they had just celebrated Christmas. They had opened their gifts," Eberling said, adding that the apartment was decorated for the holiday, including a tree.
Eberling said it appears they all died of gunshot wounds. He said authorities still don't know what sparked the incident.
Grapevine Police Lieutenant Todd Dearing said investigators believe the victims were related, though some were visiting and didn't live in the apartment.
He said police are looking for relatives to inform of the deaths.
"Seven people in one setting in Grapevine, that's never happened before. Ever," Dearing said.
Police and firefighters first rushed to the Lincoln Vineyards complex after receiving the 911 call at about 11:30am, Eberling said. "There was an open line. No one was saying anything," he explained.
Police entered the apartment, in the middle-class neighborhood of Grapevine, near the upscale Fort Worth suburb of Colleyville. The apartment was at the back of the complex, overlooking the athletic fields of Colleyville Heritage High School.
But many of the nearby apartments are vacant, and police said no neighbors reported hearing anything on a quiet Christmas morning.
Jose Fernandez, a 35-year-old heavy equipment mechanic who moved to the complex with his family about six months ago, said he always felt safe in the area, but is now afraid to let his 10-year-old son play freely outside.
"This is really outrageous especially on Christmas," said Fernandez, who was visiting family and returned to find police cars outside his home.
"This has shocked everybody. It has scared everybody," he added.
Eberling agreed the area is fairly quiet, noting this would be the first homicide in Grapevine since 2010.
Christy Posch, a flight attendant who moved to the complex six months ago, said she lives a few buildings away and did not hear any gunshots.
"It's all families. That's why I moved here. No burglaries, no nothing," Posch said.
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