KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar BluffSmall town a buzz after murder/suicide in Coulterville
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COULTERVILLE, IL (KFVS) - News of a double murder suicide rocked the small town of Coulterville this weekend.
Investigators say 35-year-old Brian Morrison shot his wife's parents with a shotgun and then killed himself, in front of his wife and children.
Investigators say that's what they are trying to figure out, but they don't have any record of any domestic disputes between Brian Morrison and his wife.
Friends and neighbors say that's one of the big reasons why they are still in shock, because they can't figure out why Morrison snapped.
"Everytime we saw him he always had a hug and kiss for me he was just a very good kid," Christine Stapleton said.
She grew up with Morrison, and then became his neighbor.
Still, the night gunshots shattered the stillness in this small community, Stapleton says she was fast asleep.
"I didn't hear nothing," she said. "I live right across the field didn't know what was going on."
Randolph County deputies showed up after Mrs. Morrison called 911.
They say she had called her parents earlier on, asking them to pick up her and her children and that's when her husband gunned down Stanley Garbs and Tamara Carroll of Marissa.
Investigators found Morrison's body and the victims' bodies in the driveway leading up to Morrison's house.
They say he fired several other shots, but Mrs. Morrison wasn't hurt because she was inside her parent's car trying to protect her two young children.
"We found a twelve gauge shotgun and a handgun at the scene," the coroner said, adding he did not believe the handgun had been used in the shootings.
Meanwhile the survivors of the shooting are on many people's minds.
"They're hanging in there, it's a very tough time for everyone for her and family and children and they are taking one day at a point at this time," said Captain Janice Barbour with the Randolph County Sheriff's Office.
"It does not make any sense. They really loved each other," said another friend.
"I hope they get some closure, and find out why this happened," said Stapleton.
Investigators say they are waiting on autopsy and toxicology results at this time, but they suspect alcohol may have played a part leading up to the shootings.
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