BRONX, N.Y. — A tragic incident unfolded Wednesday morning when a 44-year-old man took the lives of three family members, including his elderly mother and daughter, before turning the gun on himself in their apartment in the Castle Hill Houses. Law enforcement officials reported that he called a relative outside of New York, urging them to check on the family.
After receiving the concerning call, the relative alerted a family friend, who arrived at the apartment around 9:40 a.m. Upon entering, the friend discovered the shooter dead on the couch, still gripping the weapon. Inside, police found the shooter’s 26-year-old daughter and her boyfriend, both deceased in separate rooms of the apartment, alongside the shooter’s 75-year-old mother.
The identities of the victims have not been released pending notification of next of kin. Local residents expressed shock and heartbreak over the event, recalling the warmth and kindness of the victims. Henry Tucker, a neighbor of the family for decades, identified the deceased matriarch as Theresa Stukes, who had just celebrated her birthday on October 30.
Tucker described Stukes as a beloved figure in the community, noting her nurturing and compassionate nature. “We grew up together,” he reflected, expressing deep sorrow over the loss. Residents in the area remembered her as a woman who radiated positivity and kindness.
The shooter was also known to Tucker, having exchanged friendly greetings with him just weeks prior. “He seemed to be doing well, coming to visit his mother,” Tucker stated. Despite having a troubled past that included time in prison, the shooter had appeared to have turned his life around. “I never sensed anything was amiss,” Tucker said, bewildered by the sudden turn of events.
While reports indicate that the gunman has a daughter from a previous relationship, the other daughter was not present during the tragedy. Tucker described the surviving sibling as devastated by the loss, imagining the overwhelming grief she must be experiencing.
The neighborhood is grappling with the shock of this homicide-suicide situation, prompting discussions about safety and mental health support. Local organizations may be called upon to provide assistance to residents struggling with the emotional fallout from this shocking event.
As investigations continue, authorities urge anyone with information about the events leading up to the shooting to come forward, while the community mourns the senseless loss of life.