Crime & Safety

Farmington Hills Police Investigate Murder-Suicide

Officials say a 34-year-old father killed himself and his 22-month-old child early this morning.

are investigating the deaths of a 34-year-old man and his 22-month-old child, after an apparent murder-suicide early Sunday morning, at Green Hill Apartments near 9 Mile and Halsted roads.

This is the city's second murder-suicide this year, and the seventh suicide in the same time frame, Police Chief Chuck Nebus said.

According to a press release issued this morning, at 12:11 a.m., a woman dialed 911 and reported she had been assaulted by her husband. Shortly after officers arrived, several gun shots were fired from inside the residence, police say.

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A police perimeter was established and nearby residents were evacuated from the building. The Oakland County Sheriff Department’s Special Response Team was summoned and made entry into the apartment. Officers discovered the man and child dead in the child’s bedroom; a shotgun was lying on the floor next to the man.

Evidence technicians and detectives are currently processing the scene and conducting follow up. Although the investigation continues, the incident appears to be a murder suicide, as a result of a pending divorce, the release indicated.

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"We had had some (previous) contact with them," Nebus said of the couple.

The department has not released the names of the deceased or the mother.

A Farmington Hills Police chaplain assisted at the scene and a debriefing was held this morning for all of the midnight shift officers.

“This kind of an incident and crime scene has a significant emotional impact on all of the officers on the scene,” Nebus said.

If you or someone you know needs immediate help with suicidal thoughts, go to an emergency room or call 911. Reach out to Common Ground Mental Health and Crisis Intervention at 800-231-1127 or at 248-474-4701 if you're coping with stress, depression, family crises, drug or narcotics abuse and other issues.

This is a developing story that will be updated as information becomes available.


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