Man Finds Parents, Brother Dead

"SPRING LAKE, NC — The Harnett County Sheriff's Office responded Saturday morning to a call about deceased persons who neighbors say were killed in a murder-suicide.

"Maj. Gary McNeill declined to release details but confirmed that the sheriff's office was conducting a death investigation at 12665 N.C. Highway 210 South, north of Spring Lake. He said deputies responded to a 911 call saying there were deceased people in the home.

"Jimmy Thompson, who was sobbing at the scene, [said] that the victims were his parents, Carol and James Thompson, and his brother, Richard Thompson, who was in his early 20s.

"His friend, Shannon Thompson, said they found the bodies inside the home and called 911. A gun was in Richard Thompson's hand, she said. Neighbors described the deaths as a murder-suicide.

"Shannon Thompson said she and Jimmy Thompson were riding into town and stopped by his parents' because he needed money.

"`Jimmy told me he'd be right back, and he walked into the house, and next thing you know, two to three minutes later, he's screaming my name, 'Shannon, Shannon, Shannon. My brother killed my family,'` said Shannon Thompson, who his not related to the family.

"`I ran in the house with him. I turned to my right and saw his brother on the bed.`"

"James Thompson was also dead in the bedroom, and Carolyn Thompson was in the living room, she said.

"Shannon Thompson said she doesn't know much about Richard Thompson, but he was living with his parents.

"`He was a funny person, cool person to hang out with,` she said.

"Finding the bodies of her friend's parents and brother will haunt her, she said.

"`It plays back in your head, over and over. You never forget something like that,` Shannon Thompson said."

From WRAL.com...