Man Shoots Sons, Dog Before Killing Himself

"MURPHYS, CA — A Murphys man killed his two teenage sons, then took his own life, Calaveras County sheriff's deputies said today.

"They found the grisly murder/suicide scene at the family's home Saturday afternoon.

"Phillip Marshall, 54, and his sons, Alex, 17, and Micaila, 14, were found dead about 3:10 p.m. in the home on Sandalwood Drive in the Forest Meadows subdivision. Each had a single gunshot wound to the head, sheriff's investigators said.

"No motive for the killings is known. The case is under investigation.

"Friends of the teens had not heard from the victims since Thursday, and went to the home to check on them. While at the front door of the house, they could see the father lying on the floor in a pool of blood and called deputies.

"The sons were found dead on a couch in the home. The family dog was also shot and found dead in a bedroom.

"The weapon is believed to be a handgun, deputies said.

"The estranged wife and mother of the two boys is out of the country, deputies said. She has been notified of the deaths.

"Both of the teen victims were students at Bret Harte High School in Angels Camp."

Source: Sacramento Bee...