Fourth member of family dies in Modesto murder-suicide
A man shot fatally shot his wife and two adult children before turning the gun on himself on New Year’s Day in east Modesto, authorities said.
The incident happened around 9 p.m. in the 2000 block of Sharilyn Dr., which is part of a residential neighborhood to the south of Floyd Avenue and west of Oakdale Road.
Police responded to the home after a man called 911, saying he had killed his family
Happening now...On scene of a shooting in the 2000 Blk of Sharilyn. Four shot, three deceased, including the suspect. pic.twitter.com/XVCwYmUyMC
— Modesto Police Dept (@ModestoPolice) January 2, 2015UPDATE: The shooting is believed to be a murder/suicide w/3-adults (2 male,1 female) deceased. Another female adult in critical condition.
— Modesto Police Dept (@ModestoPolice) January 2, 2015On Friday, police identified those involved as Stephen Mingham, 57, his wife, Janet Mingham, 56, and their children, Chad Mingham, 33, and Nicole Mingham, 34.
Investigators believe Mingham shot his wife and children before committing suicide.
A family member said the man called his brother Thursday night and told him the same thing he told police. “That he had killed his family and he was going to kill himself,” the family member said.
Stephen Mingham, Janet Mingham and Chad Mingham were declared dead at the scene. Nicole Mingham was taken to an area hospital, where she underwent surgery but succumbed to her injuries, said Heather Graves, a police spokeswoman
The four were alone in the house at the time of the incident. Public records indicate the four shared the home.
“They were just a normal family who lived their everyday lives,” the family member said.
Janet Mingham, who was also known as “Jan,” worked as a secretary for the principal at Roosevelt Junior High in Modesto. The school’s principal on Friday morning notified Modesto City Schools district officials that his secretary’s family was involved in the deadly shooting.
“We are shocked and devastated by this horrific event,” said district Superintendent Pam Able. “Jan was a longtime Modesto City Schools employee and was beloved by Roosevelt staff and students.”
Able said grief counselors will be at the school for staff and students when classes resume Jan. 12.
Police Sgt. Mark Weiglein said investigators haven’t established any problems in the home that might have led to the shooting.
“Neighbors didn’t have any indication anything was wrong,” Weiglein said.
This story was originally published January 2, 2015 at 12:36 AM with the headline "Fourth member of family dies in Modesto murder-suicide."