On the evening of January 4, 2022, in Auburn, Washington, a 41-year-old man shot and killed his 41-year-old wife and their 10-year-old child inside their home in the 2100 block of 66th Street SE before killing himself in an apparent murder-suicide. A second child, age 12, was able to escape the home uninjured and alerted a neighbor who called 911. Police found all three victims deceased with injuries consistent with gunshot wounds. Neighbors reported they had never seen signs of trouble in the family.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
Both documents describe a shooting. The Auburn Examiner reports "a report of a shooting" and that all three victims had "injuries consistent with gunshot wounds." The KOMO article states "a man reportedly shot and killed his wife and child before killing himself."
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The Auburn Examiner states that "All three had injuries consistent with gunshot wounds." The KOMO News article states "Investigators say a man reportedly shot and killed his wife and child before killing himself." The child suffered inflicted gunshot injuries.
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Both documents describe the incident as a murder-suicide. The Auburn Examiner states: "Currently this appears to be a murder/suicide, but detectives are still working to confirm this." The KOMO article headline reads "Mother, child killed in apparent murder-suicide" and reports "a man reportedly shot and killed his wife and child before killing himself."
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
The KOMO article states "a man reportedly shot and killed his wife and child before killing himself" and that "Neighbors said a husband and wife lived at the residence with their two young children." While the term 'biological father' is not explicitly used, the context of a married couple living with their children strongly implies the man was the biological father of the child victim.
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The KOMO article frames the incident as domestic violence by including domestic violence resources at the end: "If you or someone you know needs help with domestic violence please reach out for help by calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline..." The act described — a husband shooting his wife and child — is itself an act of domestic violence. Though no prior DV history is mentioned, the incident is clearly identified as domestic violence.
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
The Auburn Examiner article includes a notable editorial note: "Out of respect for the child involved and victims' family, the Auburn Examiner will only update if there is an external criminal element involved. With no threat to the public, there is no ethical justification to provide additional information that may contribute to the furtherment of pain or trauma of a victim." This editorial decision means additional details about the case may exist but were deliberately withheld, potentially limiting the available public record. Additionally, a second child (age 12) survived the incident by escaping the home and contacting a neighbor, and CPS was contacted regarding that child's welfare.
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