CANTON, Ga.,None — Canton police are investigating what led up to an apparent double murder-suicide.
Police said a man killed his wife and 2-year-old son before turning the gun on himself at the Alexander Ridge Apartment complex.
Investigators told Channel 2s Amanda Cook the couple were having financial trouble, were behind on their bills and were supposed to be moving Friday, the same day as the incident.
At 5:45 a.m. Friday morning, Canton police said they got a call from a man who just found his family members dead inside the back bedroom of the apartment they all shared off of Marietta Highway and Ridge Road.
Police said a husband in his mid-30s likely used an assault rifle to kill his wife and 2-year-old son.
Its hard when you see a child lose his life in that way, Lt. German Rivas of the Canton Police Department said.
Despite the type of weapon used, police said none of the neighbors heard anything.
Just saw the commotion, neighbor Adina Walker said. The only information I have is it was above me.
Cook asked Walker if she ever heard the man and woman arguing, and she said, No, and said they were a nice family.
Judy Perskins said a friend of hers spoke highly of the family
I called her a while ago, and she was really upset, Perkins said.
Police told Cook this wasnt the first time they had been to the home. The wife called because the male had locked himself in the bathroom and had threatened to commit suicide and he was intoxicated, Rivas said.
Cook asked Rivas if this incident could have been prevented. Rivas answered, As far as we know, we havent had many calls out here. That was the only one that one time. Its hard to predict when something like this would happen.