A TEENAGE hunter allegedly shot dead his parents and younger brother before committing a horrific murder-suicide.
Clifford Hunt Jr., 19, was with his parents Michelle, 48, and Clifford Hunt Sr., 51, and his younger brother Cody, at the family's home in North Sewickley Township on Sunday. It is believed that Hunt, 16, was shot in the head with a gun. night, According to WPXI.
The newspaper said police rushed to the hunting family's home after the younger brother called 911, where he later died from his injuries.
The parents were found dead at the scene, and the suspected shooter and his brother later died at a Pittsburgh hospital.
“We can't say for sure, but it appears to be a murder-suicide,” Beaver County District Attorney Nate Bible told the show.
“The whole family is avid hunters, and hunting always came up in conversations with them,” said North Sewickley Township Police Chief Jeff Betze.
“We knew there were a large number of firearms in the house,” the police chief said.
Prosecutors said investigators “still have people to talk to” about the crime.
“We cannot speculate on a motive at this time,” Bible told WPXI.
Jennifer Lanham, who worked near the crime scene, said this was especially devastating for such a small community.
“Everyone here knows everyone. You know, we're a very close-knit community. Everybody cares about everybody. So things like this don't happen here. It's a tragedy beyond comparison,” Lanham said. told WTAE.
“It's really hard to understand something like this because it's multiple murders that happened in a small, small town. You don't hear things like that every day, but it's amazing.”
Family friend Autumn Ashurst told WPXI that shocked neighbors are “desperate for answers.”
“It's not just one tragedy, it's four tragedies happening at once,” she said.
The Riverside School District said the slain brother, Cody, was a member of the National Honor Society and played saxophone in the marching band.
“Due to his desire to serve his country, Cody had planned to attend the United States Air Force Academy,” the school said in a statement.
“Cody's classroom teachers and friends said he had a kind heart and was always helping others. He will be greatly missed by everyone at Riverside.”
A candlelight vigil is planned for Thursday at 8 p.m.
If you live in New York City and are struggling with suicidal thoughts or experiencing a mental health crisis, call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. You can. If you live outside the five boroughs, dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988 or visit SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
