A Michigan The community is mourning the death of a mother and her three children who were apparently shot dead inside their home.
On Friday, the Macosta County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call from a gunman and gunman at a residence in Macosta Township. Upon arrival, officers discovered three children – under the age of 10 – and their mother dead.
“Three young siblings have been identified as 6 years old Caitlin Gillard4 years old Ronald GillardAnd 3 years old Joshua GillardThe office confirmed in a release Monday that their mother, Don Gillard, 40, was also killed, possibly their father and husband, a 51-year-old man believed to have fired at himself at the time, with a gunshot wound to the head. . “
The suspect was transferred to Spectrum Health Big Rapids Hospital and then transferred to Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids before being transferred to the University of Michigan, where he is in critical condition for his injuries, according to the MCSD.
The man’s name is being withheld until he is arrested and formally charged, “Sheriff Brian Miller said in a statement. “In the near future, information will be limited so as not to jeopardize any criminal activity in the future and out of respect for the family.”
“No matter how much you prepare yourself for something like this in our line of work, it is never easy. It sticks to you. Our hearts go out to the rest of the family, who have to take their lives without leaving their loved ones behind, “Sheriff Miller told People in a statement.
“I am speechless, and there is no answer as to why or how this could happen. We have a strong community, who are always there for each other in times of need, ”he continued. “Although heartbreaking, this tragedy is no different. We will come together, we will come together so that these children and their mothers are not forgotten, so that justice can be done. “
“I am just shocked. I am devastated, “said Hailey Salisbury, daughter of Don Gillard and step-sister of three young children.
“It’s heartbreaking for something so tragic to happen in your community,” said Sheriff Miller. “There are no words that can explain what happened.”
“With our first responders, almost everyone at the scene had their own child. I can tell you that they took it very seriously, “said Sheriff Miller.
Roger Coles, superintendent of Morley Stanwood Elementary School where a child went to school, also issued a statement Saturday, writing in part, “There is a lot of emotion to deal with and process this terrible loss. . We want to give our Mohak family and the wider community a time and place to mourn, cry, pray and begin healing. “