Steph Deschamps / January 6, 2023
A 42-year-old man shot and killed his five children, wife and mother-in-law before killing himself in the western United States, local authorities said Thursday.
The first elements of the investigation "suggest that the suspect committed suicide after killing seven other people in the home," explained in a statement the city of Enoch City in Utah where the tragedy took place.
Police discovered the bodies Wednesday afternoon after receiving a call asking them to check on the family, according to the document.
They then discovered the eight bodies, all of which bore "gunshot wounds," the release continued.
The five children ranged in age from 4 to 17. The suspect, Michael Haight, also killed his 40-year-old wife and 78-year-old mother-in-law, before turning the gun on himself. The investigation is expected to continue with witness interviews and autopsies of the bodies, the same source added.
Enoch City is a small town of 7,000 people, located in southwestern Utah, more than four hours drive from the state capital, Salt Lake City. Joe Biden and his wife Jill "mourn with the people of Enoch City," the White House said.
Too many Americans have lost loved ones or had their lives turned upside down because of gun violence," added executive spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre in a statement.
"Our hearts go out to all those affected by this senseless violence," Utah Republican Governor Spencer Cox responded on Twitter, asking for prayers for the city's residents.