Rochester: Son Kills Self; Authorities Investigate Deaths of Parents

Jan. 22, 2021 6p

Statement from Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling: 

On January 22, 2021 at 9:06 a.m. Racine County Deputies responded to the 400 block of N. State St. in the Village of Rochester to check the welfare of the occupants after receiving a request from a family member who resides out of state.

Current information suggests there are 3 adults who live in the home. A 30 year old son with his mother and father. Deputies arrived and made entry into the home. Once in the residence and while actively searching for the occupants, within moments a single gunshot rang out within a close proximity of the searching deputies. For safety reasons, deputies immediately took a tactical position and immediately created a safe perimeter around the home.

Sheriff’s crisis negotiators made multiple attempts to make contact with the occupants verbally, by telephone and social media without success. Additionally, multiple advanced pieces of technology including an interior drone and tactical robots were deployed to establish the wellbeing of the occupant(s).

Tragically, we discovered what appears to be an adult male and adult female deceased and completely concealed in the garage. Both of which appeared to have been deceased for a significant period of time. Additionally, an adult male was found deceased in the basement of this residence with what appears to be a recent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

I am confident at this time, there is no present threat to our community. I firmly believe the person responsible for this senseless tragedy is the deceased adult male located in the basement with what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

As you can imagine this is a sad, tragic and unfortunate day and our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victims. Unfortunately, this is all of the information that we are prepared to release at this moment. However, as additional information is learned, we will share that with our community and members of the media.

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