A man fatally shot three family members and then himself in Menifee, Riverside County sheriff’s officials said Tuesday.
The apparent murder-suicide happened shortly before 4 p.m. Monday in the 31000 block of Sherman Road, near Freedom Lane, according to sheriff’s Sgt. Richard Carroll.
He said patrol deputies were called to the property to investigate reports of domestic disturbance and encountered a man inside the home who refused to come out and speak with them.
The suspect told the patrolmen that he had just killed his family, prompting them to call for assistance and engage the man in surrender negotiations, Carroll said.
While trying to draw the man out, deputies “heard what was believed to be a single gunshot from within the residence,” the sergeant said.
They forcibly entered the house and found the suspect dead, along with two of his family members, Carroll said. None were immediately identified.
One occupant of the home was still clinging to life despite gunshot wounds, and the victim was taken to Riverside University Medical Center in Moreno Valley but was pronounced dead on arrival, according to Carroll.
No details regarding a possible motive or anything else connected to the shooting were released.