4 Children Fatally Shot in Alaska, Apparent Murder-Suicide

Around 4:20PM Tuesday, Alaska State Troopers received news of a shooting in a home north of Fairbanks, reports NBC News. The troopers found four siblings aged 5, 8, 15, and 17 dead from gunshot wounds, as well as three uninjured siblings under the age of 7. Alaska’s News Source states the parents and one additional sibling were not at home during the shooting.

Investigators believe the 15-year-old boy shot the three other victims with a family-owned gun before shooting himself. His motive is currently unknown. Troopers are also attempting to discover whether the boy “had previously had any interactions with law enforcement,” stated Tim DeSpain, a spokesperson for the Alaska State Troopers.

The children’s bodies have been sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office. Due to confidentiality laws, the Alaskan Department of Family and Community Services has confirmed they will limit the information released to the press.