A father in Maine killed his three young children, their mother, and then turned the gun on himself over the weekend, state officials said on Monday. Police said 33-year-old Joel Smith was suicidal and having financial problems before killed his family members in various rooms of their Saco, Maine, apartment at about 11:30 p.m. Saturday with 12-gauge shotgun.
Sons Jason Montez, 12, and Noah Montez, 7 were shot to death in their separate bedrooms. Thirty-five-year-old wife Heather Smith and 4-year-old daughter Lily Smith were shot in the parents' bed. Joel Smith's body was found on the floor nearby, with the gun by his side. State police spokesman Steve McCausland called it "one of the worst cases of domestic violence in Maine's history. "
No suicide note was found, according to police, but investigators said the wife had told a family friend the night of the shooting that Joel Smith recently had threatened suicide. The friend later contacted an apartment complex worker to express concerns about the family, which led to the grim discovery, McCausland said.
