Gilbert Shooting: 5 Killed By Armored Gunman
An armored gunman shot four people home in a home in Gilbert, Arizona today, including a toddler. When police entered the home, they found the gunman dead of a bullet wound as well, although it is not clear if he shot himself, or one of the victims did.
The shooting occurred around 1P.M. in a quiet neighborhood southeast of Phoenix, where the houses all boast stucco sides, and red clay roofs. One neighbor, Gary Davis, stated, “Nothing ever happens in this neighborhood. It’s a shock to us.”
In a short briefing for reporters, Gilbert police chief Sgt. Bill Balafas, stated that, after reviewing the evidence, the shooting appeared to be a domestic violence incident, although he did not elaborate to say why.
Authorities also stated that the man carried multiple firearms, including a shotgun and two handguns.
None of the victims’ identities have been released, and neither has the shooter’s, or his motives for attacking. Police said that when they arrived at the scene, the toddler, a little girl around one or two years, was still alive. She was rushed to the hospital, but passed away there.
Witnesses also stated that they saw a man approach the taped-off home about three hours after the shooting. He announced, “I have a daughter who lives in that house.”
Police officers took him to a separate area out of view, on the other side of the tape, where a cry was heard moments later. Later on, the man left the scene with police. Neighbor DeAnn Rawson, said that she was sick over what had happened in the quiet neighborhood. She told reporters that, “As you can tell, everyone driving by is absolutely shocked.” She went on to say of the young girl that:
“I would have come and got her. It makes me mad. I can’t have children, and you have other people doing things that are insane.”