A Florida sheriff’s deputy has fatally shot his wife before turning the gun on himself in a murder-suicide when four children were inside their home.
Hillsborough County sheriff’s deputy Kirk Keithley, 39, killed his 33-year-old wife Samantha at their home on Monday just after midnight.
Four children, none who were older than 14 years, were inside the home at the time but were not injured in the shooting.
Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said a 14-year-old boy ran from the home in Land O’Lakes and called 911 after hearing an argument and gunshot.
Hillsborough County sheriff’s deputy Kirk Keithley, 39, killed his 33-year-old wife Samantha at their Florida home on Monday just after midnight
When authorities arrived at the home, they found the woman dead on the couch and the deputy in another room with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Deputies found the three other children safe upstairs.
The sheriff said Pasco County deputies had not previously been called to the home.
‘It’s devastating what happened here this morning,’ Nocco said.
‘The moment that any individual goes from protecting people to harming people, he loses the right – no matter what agency they’re with – to call themselves himself law enforcement officer.’
Nocco said Keithley did not appear to have used his sheriff’s service weapon in the fatal shooting.
Child protective services are now caring for the children.
Keithley (left) killed his wife Samantha (right) when four children were inside the family’s home. A boy, 14, ran from the home and called 911 after hearing an argument and gunshot
Four children, none who were older than 14 years, were inside the home (above) at the time but were not injured in the shooting
‘(There are) four children trying to put their shattered lives, trying to figure out what just happened to them overnight,’ Nocco said.
‘So, as people wake up, I just ask you to pray for those kids because it’s devastating what happened out here this morning.’
Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister released a statement on Monday condemning domestic violence.
‘Unfortunately, last night, one of our deputies was involved in a tragic event where he took his wife’s life and then his own. I cannot begin to express how disheartened I am. Domestic violence has no place in our society,’ Chronister said.
‘I ask that everyone join me and the rest of our office and pray for those innocent children who are left behind and have to pick up the pieces. This is something that is impossible to comprehend for even the most seasoned person.’
When authorities arrived at the home, they found Samantha dead on the couch and her deputy husband in another room with a self-inflicted gunshot wound
Authorities said they had not previously been called to the home for any disturbances. Keithley also did not appear to have used his sheriff’s service weapon in the fatal shooting