18 Dogs And A Parrot Survive Murder/Suicide

"AZLE, TX - Azle investigators believe that a 67-year-old man found wounded in the doorway of his home Saturday afternoon fatally shot his wife before shooting himself in the chest, police said Tuesday.

"Edward Carter remained in John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth on Tuesday, and officers have not been able to interview him, Police Chief Steve Myers said.

"His wife, Jean Carter, 78, was found dead on the living room floor of the home in the 1000 block of Poe Street. She died from a gunshot to the head, according to the Tarrant County medical examiner's office.

"The rifle used to kill her was found in the home, Myers said. `Officers did not find any evidence of forced entry,` he said.

"Edward Carter called 911 about 1 p.m., police have said. He told police that `someone had done that to them before dawn on Saturday,` Myers said.

"But neighbor Phillip Peppers said he saw Jean Carter about 8:30 a.m. Saturday when she walked down the driveway to pick up the newspaper.

"According to Azle police records, officers had not been called to the home before Saturday. But six medical calls had been made since June 2008, most recently on May 21 for Edward Carter, records show.

"Neighbor Cody Cox said that Edward Carter said he had cancer.

"`He came over one day wanting a ride to the hospital,` Cox said. `He looked in poor health. He was so skinny.`

"Cox said the couple argued often. `They'd always be yelling back and forth at each other,` Cox said. `I never saw them hit each other; it was just yelling.`

"Azle police removed 18 dogs and a parrot from the Carter home Saturday.

"`Whoever gets that parrot is in for a surprise,` neighbor Floy Clinton said. `That parrot barks like a dog and curses like a sailor.`"

Source: Star-Telegram...