Bodies Found In Park Were Father & Son

""WINSTON-SALEM, NC — Investigators have ruled the the death of a father and son at Salem Lake Park on Wednesday a murder/suicide, according to police.

"Police determined the father and son met at Salem Lake. At some point Charles Timothy Nichols, Jr., 29, shot Charles Timothy Nichols, 58, prior to shooting himself.

"Nichols, Jr.’s mother, Janet Nichols, spoke to [reporters] Thursday, saying, `Charlie was defending me when it all happened. A couple of days before, my husband hurt me and my son found out and was upset. Charlie always stood up for me.`

"Friends of Nichols, Jr. are defending his mother’s statement.

"`He loved his family he loved his mom,` said Scotty Newsom, Charles Nichols, Jr.’s friend. `It was just inconceivable that he would do something just for spite to hurt somebody.`

"The ongoing investigation into this case revealed that there had been incidents of domestic violence within the family.

"The Medical Examiner’s office confirmed that Charles Timothy Nichols died after being shot multiple times and Charles Timothy Nichols, Jr. died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

"Police responded to 1001 Salem Lake Road around 11:24 a.m. Wednesday in reference to the shooting.
Upon arrival, officers found the two men deceased in a gravel parking lot about 400 yards from the entrance to Salem Lake.

"It remains unclear if there were any witnesses to the shooting."

From WGHP...