Teen ‘kills his family and shares photos of bodies on social media’
A teenage boy killed his family and took his own life after sharing graphic images of them on social media, police say.
The deaths of four people and two dogs found in a motorhome in San Patricio, in the US state of Texas, on Thursday is being treated as a murder suicide.
San Patricio County Sheriff’s Office’s Oscar Rivera identified the victims as William Colburn Jr, 63, Janna Colburn, 53, Emma Colburn, 13, and William Quince Colburn III, 15. It is not clear how all four are related.
Police said they received reports the teen had made a number of threats.
“The juvenile conveyed graphic images of dead individuals who he identified as his family who he had killed and shared on a social media platform,” Aransas Pass Police Department said.
“Further, he threatened to continue violence at an area school.”
That social media platform was Discord, a messaging app, according to Caller Times.
A number of police agencies managed to track the teen down to a motorhome which they believed was his residence.
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He was armed. They asked him to step out but he would not. A gunshot was heard.
Police then entered the motorhome and found the teen's body along with four other victims and two dead dogs.
Mr Rivera told ABC News police were not sure which school the teen planned on attacking but he certainly had the weapons and ammunition to do so.
He said the teen had at least two guns and a rifle.
The investigation continues. It is being treated as a murder-suicide.
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.
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