Estranged Husband Returns With Gun

"TAYLORSVILLE, NC — An Alexander County woman is in the hospital after investigators said her son-in-law shot her in the face, then shot and killed her daughter. Deputies said the man shot and killed himself.

"Deputies said Mary Darlene Tarlton called 911 around 7:20 p.m. saying that she and two others had been shot at the home on 448 Chestnut Hunting Lodge Drive.

"Dispatched officers found Brandy Nicole Thompson, 34, and Jonathan Wayne Thompson, 32, dead outside the residence.

"The incident happened near the couple’s 4-month-old son, deputies said. The baby was not injured and is in the care of Department of Social Services.

"Deputies said Jonathan Thompson was the shooter.

"Tarlton was transported to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center for surgery. Her condition was not released.

"`It appears the husband and wife had separated about a week ago,` said Sheriff Chris Bowman. `We believe he returned to the house where he once lived with his wife, her mother and their infant son.`

"The sheriff said it’s unclear exactly what led up to the shooting but investigators believe the man shot his wife’s mother in the mouth, then his wife in the chest and then himself in the head.

"The investigation is ongoing."

From wsoctv.com...