Four members of a family killed by gunfire in Gy, Haute-Saône
The bodies of two children and two adults were discovered on Wednesday evening in Gy. A 42-year-old father allegedly killed his children and his ex-mother-in-law before taking his own life.
Family tragedy in Gy: four deaths including two children
The bodies of four members of the same family were found on the evening of Wednesday 2 September in the town of Gy, Haute-Saône, BFM TV has learnt, confirming information from L'Est républicain.
Among the victims are two children aged six and ten years old, as well as a 42-year-old man and his ex-mother-in-law aged 74. All were killed by gunfire.
According to initial investigation findings, the father contacted one of his relatives in the evening to tell him that he had killed his two children and the mother of his ex-partner, from whom he had just separated. He also expressed his intention to end his life. This relative alerted the gendarmerie around 20:00.
Upon arrival at the scene, gendarmes discovered the bodies of the two children in a vehicle. The remains of the man and his ex-mother-in-law were found in a mobile home nearby. Investigators are focusing on the family tragedy theory.
The Vesoul investigation unit is conducting the inquiry. Criminal identification technicians worked at the scene throughout the night.
The mayor of Gy, who went to the scene on Wednesday evening, expressed in a statement his "most sincere thoughts to the family, relatives and all those today confronted with this terrible tragedy". He indicates that around thirty firefighters and fifty gendarmes were deployed at the location. The elected official calls on "everyone to exercise restraint, dignity and respect for the families, and not to relay information or rumours that have not been confirmed by the judicial authorities".
A psychological support unit can be put in place if necessary, notably at the Catherine Fraischot education centre, where the two children were schooled. The town has also decided to cancel the festive events planned for this weekend.
Source: BFM TV