After his wife filed for divorcing, a man killed his family.
According to police, a 42-year-old man shot seven of his family members and then killed himself in Utah. This happened after his wife filed for divorce.
The eight-member family was found dead in their rural Enoch City home on Wednesday night after a welfare check.
Police claim that the victim was the man’s spouse, his five children, and his mother in law.
Rob Dotson, city manager, stated that the town of approximately 8,000 people was in shock.
On Thursday, officials from the city announced that Michael Haight, 42, an insurance salesman, opened fire on Tausha (his wife), and on Gail Earl (his mother-in law), his five children, before he committed suicide.
The five children who were not identified include three girls (ages 17 and 12), and two boys (7 and 4).
Rob Dotson, manager of Enoch City, said that their bodies were discovered by police around 16:00 GMT (23:00 GMT), on Wednesday. This was after someone reported that the wife missed a scheduled appointment. This prompted a welfare check at the home.
According to Mr Dotson, each victim appeared to have been shot.
Officials confirmed, as well, that the wife had filed for divorce 21 December.
Tina Brown, a friend, stated that Tasha was a very kind and generous person. She never said anything negative about anyone. She was a tireless servant of people and would always give her shirt to anyone.
Jeffrey Chestnut, the mayor of the city, looked emotional while he gave his latest update to the media.
“It’s not often something like this hits very near to home,” Mr Chestnut stated, adding that his neighbors were the Haights.
He said, “The youngest children played with my sons in my yard.”
Enoch City, located in the southern-western region of Utah, is a small farming community. It is approximately 245 miles (394km) south of Salt Lake City.
The five children attended four schools within the Iron County Schools District. released a statement It can be expressed its sorrow.
The school district has now mobilized a crisis team and made counsellors, therapists and other support personnel available.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox sent condolences via Twitter to all those affected by “senseless violence”.
President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden offered condolences and called the incident a tragic shooting.
“Losing five more children in Enoch city, less than a month after Sandy Hook tragedy,” Karine Jean Pierre, White House spokesperson, said in a statement.
Mayor Chestnut claimed that the community had received support from federal and state governments, including from US National Security Council.
“We are extremely grateful to the greater universe for being mindful of us at this moment,” Mr Chestnut stated.
Additional reporting by Antoinette Radford