A New Hampshire mother shot her 3-year-old son to death before turning the gun on herself, police said.
Pembroke Police officers responded to a home at around 1 a.m. Friday, after a witness heard two gunshots and found the mother and son in a bedroom.
“Upon entering the home, they made contact with the resident, who called 911. Upstairs in a bedroom, they discovered the two other residents suffering from apparent gunshot wounds: Julia Byrne (age 26) and her son, Blake Byrne (age 3).”
The toddler was pronounced dead at nearby Concord Hospital. His mother died at the scene.
An autopsy showed that both mother and son died from gunshot wounds to the head. Blake’s manner of death was ruled a homicide, while his mother’s is still pending.
“At this time, authorities are still investigating this as a possible murder and suicide. No further information is expected to be released at this time,” the medical examiner’s office said.
Select Board Chair Karen Yeaton said that the local school board was aware of the tragedy that left the town on edge.
“It’s a tough day here in Pembroke. Very sad. The Select Board is very, very concerned about the family of the victims in the shootings. Our deepest condolences go out to those family members, but at this time we can’t say more than that,” Yeaton said.
