13 Year Old Escapes Dad's Wrath

"LAKELAND, FL - Four people were killed Sunday night in South Lakeland in one of the worst shooting rampages in Polk County history.

"A man armed with a high-powered rifle shot his wife, infant son and 7-year-old son, and then killed himself, officials said. The gunman fired at his 13-year-old son but the boy escaped unharmed and was in the custody of sheriff’s deputies late Sunday.

"Authorities identified the gunman as Troy Ryan Bellar, 34. They said he killed his wife, Wendy R. Bellar, 31, 5-month-old Zack Bellar and 7-year-old Ryan Patrick Bellar. They did not release the name of the 13-year-old.

"Troy Bellar fired numerous shots with a .308 caliber hunting rifle with a scope, officials said.

"Deputies were dispatched at 9:29 p.m. after a 911 call was received. They found bodies near the porch of the home at 2018 Creekbend Drive in the Creekbend subdivision south of Drane Field Road and east of Lakeland Linder Regional Airport.

"Sheriff’s officials described the shooting as a murder-suicide but said it was too early to say what exactly sparked the violence."

From The Ledger...