2 adults, 1 child dead in apparent murder-suicide in Mercer County, New Jersey, prosecutor says
An investigation is underway after a man shot his girlfriend and her daughter before shooting himself in an apparent murder-suicide in Mercer County, New Jersey, investigators said.
"She was always very clever, strong fighter, from when she was born, always active, never stopped moving," said Bladimir Velasquez, as he fought back tears.
Velasquez identified his daughter as 10-year-old Evangelina Velasquez, a fourth grader at Foundation Academy Charter School in Trenton. He said she loved to swim and was always decisive.
"If we were in Disneyland and she wanted to take that ride and not this one, no matter what anybody said, she was going to follow her instincts," he said.
Velasquez said Evangelina was with her mom at her boyfriend's house on the 200 block of Henry Street in Hamilton Township.
Just before 4 a.m. Thursday, neighbors said they heard at least five gunshots.
The Mercer County Prosecutor's Office said the man shot his girlfriend and Evangelina before taking his own life. All three were pronounced dead at the scene.
According to Velasquez, two other children were also in the home but were not harmed. He said he had concerns for his daughter's safety in the past and was waiting for an upcoming court date.
"I went to child services for a very long time, and it was always one court after another; they kept rescheduling," he said.
As police collected evidence inside the home, loved ones gathered beyond the crime scene tape and consoled one another.
Velasquez said he's leaning on his faith as he tries to comprehend what happened.
"The one thing that I do have in my mind is that it's in God's will. God knows what path he takes us in, and he knows why anything happens in the world. He's the only one that can help me and the family feel better," he said.
Investigators have not identified the shooter or his girlfriend, and they are still working to determine what led to the shootings.
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or suicidal crisis, call or text the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988. CBS News Philadelphia also has a list of mental health resources.
For more information about mental health care resources and support, The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine can be reached Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. ET, at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or email [email protected].
