Dad with 'Miserable Life' Used Homemade Bomb to Kill Toddler, Friend and Himself in Murder-Suicide

Photo: Tina Schmoyer/Facebook

A Pennsylvania father used a homemade car bomb to kill his young son, his friend and himself in a double-murder suicide Saturday night, PEOPLE confirms.

Jacob Schmoyer, 26, manufactured the device that claimed his life along with those of his 2-year-old son, Jonathan, and his 66-year-old friend, David Hallman, according to a news release from Allentown police.

David Hallman/Facebook

“He was miserable. Basically, the four letters describe a miserable life, he was unhappy with himself,” said Robinson, who added Schmoyer “admitted to thefts, burglaries and other criminal acts.”

“I don’t know if shame is too strong a word because of what he did later, but he admitted a lot of criminal acts, he didn’t think it was going to get any better. There was a lot of hatred there, and obviously, some directed at Mr. Hallman and his son,” said Robinson.

Family members told NBC News thatSchmoyer had a history of schizophrenia.

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Hallman’s niece, Christine Erdman, told theMorning Callof Allentown she wasshocked Schmoyer would target her uncle.

“I didn’t know Jacob but as far as I know they worked together, [Hallman] has been there for him, given him things,” she said. “And obviously that’s what he was meeting him for, thinking he was going to help him again.”

source: people.com