Community Rocked By Murder/Suicide Of Dad & Kids

"RINGWOOD, NJ — A New Jersey father fatally shot his two young children before turning the gun on himself Monday night in a tragic murder-suicide, authorities said.

"According to police, 38-year-old Kurtis Birth was at his parent's house located at 21 Skyview Road in Ringwood when he shot and killed his own children—5-year-old Jada and 3-year-old Jordan—then killed himself.

"Police were alerted to the home by the children's mother, who grew concerned after learning that Birth had picked up the children from a Wayne Daycare Center without her knowledge.

"When officers arrived, they found Jada's body on an outside stairway landing. Cops then found Birth's body slumped over in the driver's seat of his vehicle parked outside the home. He died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, investigators said.

"Police entered the home, searching for 3-year-old Jordan and discovered his lifeless body on the first floor.

"Both children suffered single gunshot wounds to the back of their heads. All three were pronounced dead at the scene.

"The children's mother Zoey Mendoza-Birth, 37, arrived at the house after the children were shot. Although not injured but traumatized upon learning of the tragic shootings, she was transported to St. Joseph's Hospital in Paterson for a medical evaluation.

"`This is a type of event that rocks a community,` Chief of Police in Ringwood Bernard Lombardo told reporters as he held back tears. `And it shouldn't happen anywhere.`

"It wasn't immediately clear if the couple were estranged.

"The investigation into the incident is ongoing."

From WPIX.com...

UPDATE:

10/24/2010 — "It didn't have to end like this"...
10/25/2010 — Killer had attempted suicide before...