"It’s Incomprehensible"

"STATESVILLE, NC — The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an apparent murder-suicide involving an off-duty Statesville Police Department officer.

"SPD Chief Tom Anderson confirmed that one of the two people dead on Whitetail Road off Cooper Farm Road is an SPD officer. His name has not yet been released pending notification of next-of-kin.

"The sheriff’s office received a call shortly before 6 p.m. Tuesday about a man and woman lying outside a house on Whitetail Road. The man and woman were pronounced dead on the scene.

"ICSO Chief Deputy Rick Dowdle said there were two small children, around the ages of 4 and 7 inside the house. Dowdle said deputies do not think the children, both boys, witnessed the shootings.

"The children are in the custody of family members.

"Dowdle said the investigation is ongoing and evidence is being collected at the scene.

"Anderson, who along with Assistant Chief Bill Halliburton, came to the scene said he was stunned. `It’s incomprehensible,` he said.

"Capt. Darren Campbell of the ICSO said the couple was estranged but was not sure if they were officially divorced. The sheriff’s office has not responded to any domestic calls involving the couple, Dowdle said.

"Anderson said the officer has been with the SPD for more than three years and there were no indications of any issues involving domestic violence.

"`Our prayers are with the family,` he said."

Source: Statesville Record & Landmark...