"They Seemed To Be A Nice Couple"

"BIRMINGHAM, AL — Residents of the Annendale subdivision said they were shocked by a murder-suicide that happened in broad daylight on Thursday, claiming the lives of an as-yet-unidentified couple.

"Neighbor Charline Anderson said she heard about four shots at around 5:40 p.m. in the Huffman-area neighborhood. She and her family are watching the couple's 4-year-old son.

"`We're trying to keep him from seeing what's going on outside,` Anderson said.
Detectives and evidence technicians from the Jefferson County's Sheriff's Office were taking photographs at the home in the 1700 block of Annendale Drive.

"Anderson said she believed the husband stood outside the house and shot his wife before turning the gun on himself. She said she did not think the child saw the shooting. `I hope he didn't see it, but I know he had to have heard it,` she said.

"The family had lived in the home for about four years, Anderson said.

"Small groups of neighbors gathered to watch as the detectives began their investigation.

"Another neighbor, Charlton Marshall, said he did not know the couple personally, but he was surprised by the shooting. `I wouldn't have thought it would have happened. They seemed to be a nice couple.`"

From al.com...