Two parents and their two teenage children were shot to death in what Pennsylvania authorities are calling an apparent murder-suicide.
While the investigation is still in its preliminary stages, Beaver County District Attorney Nate Bible called the incident a triple murder-suicide.
The DA’s office and North Sewickley Township police confirmed to Fox News Digital that first responders were called to the Pittsburgh suburb of North Sewickley around 8:30 a.m. Sunday following reports of shots fired. Authorities later determined the 911 call came from inside the home.
When officers arrived, they found the bodies of the parents, Clifford, 51, and Michelle Hunt, 48, and their two teenage sons, 18-year-old Clifford Jr. and his 16-year-old brother, in critical condition. The teenagers, who were each shot in the head, were taken to a Pittsburgh hospital, but died Monday.
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The DA said a preliminary investigation showed Clifford Hunt Jr. shot and killed his parents and brother before turning the gun on himself. (Michelle Tomesco Hunt via Facebook)
Authorities said a preliminary investigation revealed Clifford Jr. shot and killed his parents and brother before turning the gun on himself.
“At this point, it appears that the older son, Clifford Jr., may have been the last one alive. Several weapons were recovered from the scene,” Bibl. told WTAE-TV. “We’re still trying to figure out what weapons were used and on whom, trying to piece together a timeline of what might have happened.”
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On Sunday, police were called to the Hunts’ home in North Sewickley, Pennsylvania. (Google Maps)
The small town was left reeling after the murder, with one resident commenting that it was hard for people to “wrap their heads around” the shooting.
Jennifer Lanham, who worked near the Hunts’ home, was told by one of her employees that police had told them to close their store as a precaution following the incident.
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Lanham told WTAE-TV, “Everybody knows everybody here. You know, we’re a very tight-knit community. Everybody looks out for everybody. So, something like this is more of a tragedy than compares here.”
“It’s really scary. It’s really hard to wrap your head around something like this, because it’s a multiple homicide in a small, small town,” she told the outlet. “You don’t hear that every day, and it’s amazing.”
A friend of Michelle’s remembered the 48-year-old mom of two as an animal lover.
“It’s not just one tragedy, but it’s four at once,” Autumn Ashurst told WTAE-TV. “People are, one, desperate for answers and, two, desperate to see how they can help.”
Michelle and Cody Hunt were remembered for their love of aviation and their volunteer work at a local museum. (Air Heritage Aviation Museum)
Michelle and Cody shared a love of aviation and volunteered at the Air Heritage Aviation Museum in Beaver Falls. The non-profit shared that they will “miss very much” the museum.
“Michelle had held the position of secretary for the past two years. Both Michelle and Cody were avid C-123K Fairchild Provider ‘Thunder Pig’ crew members. They often flew the Thunder Pig together at air shows and flyovers and were very proud. Fact is that it is the last known C-123 still flying in the world,” the museum wrote in a statement. “They both had a vast knowledge of aircraft and both loved and enjoyed sharing its history with the people who visited it during air shows.”
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The museum noted that Cody had recently passed his pilot’s license test and dreamed of flying for the Air Force. They said Michelle was a committed volunteer who “always appeared with a smile on her face and ready to work.”
“She and Cody will be greatly missed at the museum and by all the visitors she joyfully welcomed to the museum,” they said. “Both Michelle and Cody will be honored and memorialized at the museum so that those who enter will know of their contributions and selfless service to our organization. May they both fly high on angel wings.”
Cody Hunt dreamed of joining the US Air Force after graduation. (Michelle Tomesco Hunt via Facebook)
In a statement Released earlier this week, Cody’s School paid tribute to the Riverside High School, 11th grader for his love of aviation, participation in the school’s marching band as a saxophonist and his compassion for others.
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“Cody’s classroom teachers and friends will say he was kind and always helping others. He will be greatly missed by everyone at Riverside,” the statement said.
Bill Hunt was found dead with his wife, Michelle, in what authorities are calling a triple murder-suicide. (Bill Hunt via Facebook)
A friend of Michelle Hunt organized a GoFundMe to help cover the costs of four funerals. (GoFundMe)
Elsewhere, the community pooled their efforts to honor the family by starting a GoFundMe aimed at covering the costs of four funerals.
“The unimaginable has happened to those who knew and loved him and this tragedy has devastated the community,” said Autumn Stang, the organizer of the GoFundMe, in a statement. “This family of 4 from North Sewickley lost their lives in a tragedy that we are all still struggling to wrap our heads around.”
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in A post Following the shooting, the North Sewickley Police Department said it was a “contained incident” and there was no threat to the public.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Riverside Beaver County School District and the Air Heritage Aviation Museum for comment.
