Dad in MA shoots his two kids, then kills himself

Family photo, via Facebook

Kelleen Benway returned to her home at 128 Main St in Oxford, MA from shopping on Sunday to find her home surrounded by police cars and ambulances. While she was out, her husband Daryl Benway, from whom she had separated 3 or 4 weeks ago, shot both of their children before turning the gun on himself.

Owen, age 9,  is in the pediatric intensive care unit at UMass Memorial Medical Center — University Campus in Worcester with a gunshot to the head. He was found on the floor of the kitchen. Benway and his daughter Molly, age 7, were found dead in the master bedroom. Benway committed the killings during a thunderstorm, when the sound of gunshots might have been covered if not for Benway’s brother, Shawn, who lived on the main floor of the home and called the police after hearing the shots.

Those who knew Benway are shocked by the news. Neighbors say that they never heard any arguing. Police had never been called to the home. Benway did not have a criminal record. Friends are posting on Benway’s Facebook page, expressing their disbelief and confusion. As one friend put it, “You were one of the very last people i would think who hurt his own children like you did.” Still another friend on Facebook insists Benway is innocent.

Benway recently lost his job at a local bank.

Sources: Yahoo News, News Telegram, Facebook,