A 42-year-old man shot and killed his five children, wife and mother-in-law before committing suicide in the western United States, local authorities said Thursday.
The first elements of the investigation "
suggest that the suspect committed suicide after killing seven other people in the home
", explained in a press release the city of Enoch City in Utah where the tragedy took place.
Police discovered the bodies Wednesday afternoon after receiving a call asking them to check on the family's condition, according to the document.
They then discovered the eight corpses, all of which bore “
gunshot wounds
,” the statement continued.
The five children were between the ages of 4 and 17.
The suspect, Michael Haight, also killed his 40-year-old wife and 78-year-old mother-in-law, before turning the gun on himself.
The investigation must continue with the hearing of witnesses of the drama and the autopsies of the bodies, adds the same source.
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Enoch City is a small town of 7,000 people, located in southwestern Utah, more than four hours by road from the state capital, Salt Lake City.
Joe Biden and his wife Jill "
mourn with the people of Enoch City
," the White House said.
"
Too many Americans have lost loved ones or had their lives turned upside down by gun violence
," executive spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.
“
Our hearts go out to all those affected by this senseless violence
,” Republican Utah Governor Spencer Cox responded on Twitter, asking to pray for the residents of the city.
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