Dad Shoots His 4 Kids Then Kills Himself in Driveway After Months of Domestic Violence: Police

Photo: Lake County Sheriff’s Office

Police say a California father of four shot each of his children — killing three of them — before turning the gun on himself in a suspected triple murder-suicide following months of domestic violence, PEOPLE confirms.

On Sunday morning, Lopez’s wife ran from the home to a neighbor to call police. Her husband had begun firing a gun, she said.

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Lopez’s fourth child, 5, was found alive and in stable condition after being shot in the chest.

Lopez hada history of incidents with local authoritiesbefore the murder-suicide,according to the Associated Pressand theSanta RosaPress Democrat.

On March 10 and again May 24, he was reportedly arrested on suspicion of hitting his wife. He pleaded no-contest in the March incident, was jailed for four days and sentenced to three years’ probation. He was also prohibited from using a firearm.

Before the shooting on Sunday, according to the AP, a bench warrant had been issued for Lopez’s arrest after he failed to appear in court for arraignment in the May 24 altercation.

More recently, thePress Democratreports, authorities had been summoned about alleged domestic violence involving Lopez on July 25 but he left the scene before they arrived.

source: people.com