The Florida family slayed in a Coast Guardsman’s murder suicide has been pictured for the first time after the eight-year-old girl shot by her dad succumbed to her injuries on Christmas Day.
Petty Officer 1st Class John Presnar shot and killed his wife, Gretchen Presnar, 39, and their son, 7-year-old John Jr., before turning the gun on himself at their Florida home on December 16.
Presnar, 44, an electronics technician for the Coast Guard, also shot and critically injured his daughter McKenna, 8, in the shooting.
Little McKenna was airlifted to hospital where she has remained since the incident. When it finally became clear she would not make a recovery, her remaining family agreed to allow her organs to be used to help save the lives of others.
On Christmas Day, nine days after the murder-suicide, McKenna died.
‘This incident is a tragedy that impacts an entire community. We all mourn when these tragic events occur,’ Miami-Dade Police Director Juan Perez told the Miami Herald.
‘We know domestic violence is difficult to prevent. As a community, we need to raise awareness to encourage families in need to seek assistance.’
Coast Guard Petty Officer First Class John Presnar (pictured in 2012) fatally shot his 39-year-old wife Gretchen, daughter McKenna and their son John Jr, December 16 at their Florida home
Little McKenna was airlifted to hospital after the December 16 incident but succumbed to her injuries on Christmas Day
The children’s names were not previously released but the boy has been named as John Jr.
A neighbor said they never would have predicted the tragedy, calling them a ‘very nice family’
‘Today, this angel is gaining her wings. As the family is saying their final goodbyes now, many thanks to all who offered their support and prayers over the last week,’ Michael Casey posted on Facebook.
‘The support for the family has been overwhelming. While we mourn the loss of our loved ones during this holiday season, we rejoice in the gift of life. Many have been praying for a miracle and we think God is answering those prayers.
‘The miracle has turned into the miracle of organ donation. We are grateful that other families will be receiving a very special Christmas miracle of their own because McKenna. Send your thoughts and prayers for the surgical team as they are about to engage in this Christmas miracle.’
They indicated McKenna’s organs were going to be used to help save the lives of others
The electrician, 44, slayed his family son before turning the gun on himself. He is pictured with his son as a baby
Miami police said: ‘Domestic violence is difficult to prevent. As a community, we need to raise awareness to encourage families in need to seek assistance
As McKenna fought for her life in the ICU, Gretchen’s cousin Beth made a similar point about reaching out to those who may need help as she shared their last text message on social media
As McKenna fought for her life in the ICU, her mother Gretchen’s cousin Beth made a similar point about reaching out to those who may need help as she shared their last text message on social media.
The electrician, 44, slayed his spouse, 39, and their seven-year-old son before turning the gun on himself.
Authorities said the shooting occurred after an argument between Presnar and his wife escalated around 1am.
That’s when Presnar grabbed a gun and Gretchen warned her mother to leave the home and get help.
Gretchen’s mother wasn’t injured.
A neighbor said they never would have predicted such a tragedy.
Esteban Aguila said to WSVN: ‘The dad was really nice. The mom, the grandma, they were all a very, very nice family so it’s very surprising to hear something like this happened.’
Presnar had served in the Coast Guard since 2001 as an electronics technician. The shooting happened at their home (pictured)
When officers arrived, they found the bodies (pictured) and the wounded girl inside
Presnar grabbed a gun and Gretchen warned her mother to leave the home and get help
When officers arrived, they found the bodies and the wounded girl inside.
Presnar had served in the Coast Guard since 2001 as an electronics technician.
In a statement, the Coast Guard said it ‘is deeply saddened by this tragedy and our hearts go out to the family members’.
Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline ON 1-800-799-7233 or by visit thehotline.org if you or anyone you know needs help.