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A teenage hunter allegedly shot dead his parents and younger brother before taking his own life in a horrifying murder-suicide.
Clifford Hunt Jr., 19, is believed to have shot parents Michelle, 48, and Clifford Hunt Sr., 51, as well as his 16-year-old brother Cody Hunt in the head at the family’s home in North Sewickley Township on Sunday night, according to WPXI.
Police scrambled to the hunting family’s home after the younger brother called 911 before succumbing to his injuries, the outlet said.
Both parents were found dead at the scene, while the suspected shooter and his brother died later at a Pittsburgh hospital.
“We can’t conclusively determine but it does appear it was a murder and a suicide,” Beaver County District Attorney Nate Bible told the outlet.
North Sewickley Township Police Chief Jeff Becze said that “the family, all of them, were avid hunters and in my conversations with them, hunting always comes up.”
“I knew they had a lot of firearms in the house,” the police chief said.
The DA said investigators “still have people they need to talk to” about the crime.
“We can’t speculate on a motive right now,” Bible told WPXI.
Jennifer Lanham, who worked near the crime scene, said it was particularly shocking for such a small community.
“Everybody here knows everybody. You know, we’re a very tight-knit community. Everybody looks out for everybody. So something like this is a tragedy beyond compare here,” Lanham told WTAE.
“It’s really hard to wrap your head around something like this because that’s a multiple homicide in a small, small town. You just don’t hear that every day, and it’s staggering.”
Family friend Autumn Ashurst told WPXI that shocked neighbors are “desperate for answers.”
“It’s not only one tragedy but it’s four all at the same time,” she said.
The Riverside School District said that Cody, the murdered brother, was a member of the National Honor Society and a saxophonist in the marching band.
“Eager to serve his country, Cody planned to apply to the United States Air Force Academy,” the school said.
“Cody’s classroom teachers and friends would say he was kind-hearted and always helped others. Everyone at Riverside will miss him dearly.”
A candlelit vigil is planned for 8 pm on Thursday.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
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