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12-26-2011, 01:29 PM
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"Santa" Murders Family & Kills Himself
Seven people were found shot to death Christmas Day in an apparent murder-suicide, Grapevine police said. Officers had rushed to the Lincoln-Vineyards Apartments in the the 2500 block of Hall Johnson Road no one responded to an operator when someone called 911 from inside the apartment at about 11:30 a.m. Police found the bodies of four women and three men ranging in age from 15 to 58 years old when they kicked in the door. Grapevine police tell NBC 5 they believe they know the motive behind the Christmas morning massacre. "We do have a good idea of what took place and why," said Sgt. Robert Eberling of the Grapevine Police Department. Sgt. Eberling declined to reveal the suspected motive until autopsies of the victims are complete. Photos and Videos Sgt. Eberling also confirmed Monday that the suspected shooter, who was among the dead inside the apartment, was wearing a Santa Claus costume. Police said the middle-aged man did not live at the apartment but was visiting. Police said the victims and two handguns were found in the living room and kitchen. Investigators said they had identified the victims but they were waiting for medical examiners to confirm the identities and notify family members. Police said all of the victims were related by blood or marriage, but did not all live at the apartment. "It appears they had just celebrated Christmas. They had opened their gifts," Eberling said. Police say unwrapped presents and wrapping paper were scattered throughout the apartment's first floor. "It doesn't matter what day of the year this is, never should this sort of thing happen," neighbor Pam Lyon said. Neighbors said they were shocked by the shootings. "We've been living here for the last four years, and we're never seen this before," Abdul Rahmanshibji said. "This neighborhood is very good, very quiet; never had a problem." The apartment where the incident occurred is at the back of the complex, overlooking the athletic fields of Colleyville Heritage High School. "I have been with this police department for 12 years, and this is probably one of the most tragic things that I've certainly been involved with," Eberling said. Grapevine police said the shootings are the city's first homicide of the year. NBC 5's Ben Russell and Ray Villeda contributed to this report. Copyright Associated Press / NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth |