Police have branded a father a 'coward' after he allegedly killed his wife, their 6-year-old son and his in-laws in a horrific shooting at their California home.
Shane Parrish Killian, 54,was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder Wednesday night following a suspected 'domestic violence shooting', police said.
Four members of the suspect's family, all of whom lived at the Alameda residence, were killed in the massacre. Killian's one-year-old son was also critically injured.
Alameda Police Chief Nishant Joshi described the incident as 'tragedy', telling The Mercury News that 'these are the actions of a coward'.
Residents in theisland city, situated in the San Francisco Bay Area, say they are shocked that such a 'heartbreaking' crime happen to in their 'quiet family neighborhood'.
Shane Parrish Killian, 54, (pictured holding his infant child) was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder Wednesday night following a suspected 'domestic violence shooting'in Alameda, California
Killianallegedly killed his wife, their 6-year-old son and his in-laws in a horrific shooting at their California home. He is pictured with his wife on what appears to be their wedding day
Officers responded to a residence on Kitty Hawk Road around 9pm Wednesday after a neighbor called 911.
The suspect's elderly father-in-law, who had been shot, showed up on his neighbor's doorstep bleeding in attempt to get help.
'He was shot and he was dying,' Alameda resident Chris, who declined to disclose his last name, told NBC Bay Area.Police arrived on scene within minutes of Chris calling 911.
As officers tried to treat the Killian's father-in-law, the suspected shooter exited the house next door and was detained by police.
Sarah Henry, spokesperson for the force, said he did not resist arrest.
Four other family members were found inside the home, which is also where police believe the shootings occurred, with gunshot wounds.
Three of the victims were pronounced dead at the property, including Killian's father in law.The victim made statements to officers before he died.
One adult victim was taken to a nearby hospital, where they later died. The suspect's one-year-old son was also hospitalized and, as of Thursday night, was in critical condition.
Flowers are seen in front of a home at a residence on Kitty Hawk Road in the City of Alameda, Calif. on Thursday, July 11, 2024
Killian, who works as a welder, was booked at Santa Rita Jail on Thursday morning. He is pictured with his wife
Killian's six-year-old son was fatally shot in the massacre and his one-year-old son was critically injured. The young brothers are pictured together
Meanwhile, community members are struggling to make sense of the 'heartbreaking' massacre.
'Alameda doesn't have big crime. Nothing like this happens. It catches people's attention. It's shocking,' one resident told The Mercury News.
Another, disclosing how the Killians had just moved to area roughly six months ago, said the family'was very friendly, kind and quiet'.
'They were a typical great family,' the local said.
'Our kids used to play together. I'd hope this wouldn't happen anywhere, especially in a quiet family neighborhood.'
'I don't know how I'm going to tell my 3-year-old when he asks where his friend is,' one neighbor told NBC Bay Area.
'How do I respond to that?'
The Alameda Police Department is offering 'support to the family, our community and anyone affected by this incident', Joshi said.
Killian, who works as a welder, was booked at Santa Rita Jail on Thursday morning, according to jail records obtained by SFGate. Hefaces multiple charges, including first-degree murder.
Officers (pictured at the scene) responded to a residence on Kitty Hawk Road in Alameda around 9pm Wednesday after a neighbor called 911.The suspect's father-in-law, who had been shot and died at the scene, had gone to the neighbor for help
The other family members were found inside the home, which is also where police believe the shootings occurred. Officers are pictured at the scene
The Killians had just moved to Alameda roughly six months ago, neighbors allege. They saythe family 'was very friendly, kind and quiet.' Pictured is Shane Killian with his wife and son
Police did not release a motive for the killings, but did say they recovered multiple firearms from the home.
There is no information to suggest any threat to members of the public, the force added said. An investigation is ongoing.
This was at least the 21st mass killing in the US this year, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.
Nearly half the perpetrators, dating back to the beginning of the database in 2006, have killed their own family members.
