A Florida man called 911 after fatally shooting his elderly wife and his adult stepdaughter on Wednesday in what is being investigated as a double murder-suicide.
Thomas Schultz, 64, was found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his Riverside home, where the bodies of his 80-year-old wife and stepdaughter, who was in her 50s, were also discovered. Before taking his own life, Shultz called the police claiming they were in an “impossible situation” and was planning to harm himself, according to WFLA.
“I have to go, I’m fixing to shoot myself,” Shultz also told the 911 dispatcher before abruptly ending the call, WFTS reported.
Shultz’s wife and stepdaughter reportedly had terminal illnesses. Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said the stepdaughter was found lying on a hospital bed with a feeding tube attached, according to WFLA.
Shultz was reportedly found on the back porch next to a revolver while his wife was in a bedroom. Chronister said it appears both women were fatally shot in bed as they slept, according to WTVT.
“We have had no previous calls for service at this residence. None of the occupants have any type of criminal history,” he commented.
Chronister also noted that the 911 dispatcher who handled Wednesday’s call recently lost a family member to suicide. The nature of the two women’s illnesses was not disclosed.
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[Featured image: Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office]
