TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - Two young girls were killed Wednesday night by their father, according to Sheriff Chris Nanos in Arizona. The father then tried to commit suicide, with a single gunshot wound to the head. He remains on life support on Banner University Medical Center in the Tucson area.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department received a 911 call just before 7:00 p.m. Wednesday night from a mother who said the father of her two young children threatened their lives.
"He made statements to her that basically led her to believe this was her last chance to talk to the kids alive," Sheriff Nanos said.
Deputies arrived at the Veranda at Ventana Condominiums, near Kolb and Swan, within five minutes and knocked on the door where the father lived.
Nanos says the man was uncooperative with deputies.
"They heard one gunshot," Nanos explained. "Deputies broke in the door."
When deputies entered the apartment, they found two young girls, ages 5 and 7 with gunshot wounds. The 7-year-old was pronounced dead on scene.
Nanos says they are not yet releasing the names of the young girls.
"This is tough," Nanos said. "It's a couple hours before what's supposed to be the best day in the world for little kids... our community lost two little ones."
