Neighbors Call Police After Hearing Gunshots, Screaming

"VANCOUVER, WA — Danny Lee Luster died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head and neck, and his wife died after he shot her in the head Monday at the couple’s home in east Vancouver, according to the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office.

"Luster also shot and critically wounded his son, and killed the family dog, according to a search warrant affidavit released today.

"The affidavit reveals new details about the murder-suicide that took place at about 5:20 a.m. Monday at 13007 N.E. 52nd St. in the North Image neighborhood. The document shows that Luster’s son, Matthew Luster, 23, was shot at close range in the abdomen with a SKS rifle when he attempted to stop his father’s shooting rampage and a struggled ensued. He remained in critical condition early today in the intensive care unit at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center.

"Vancouver police were called to the residence when neighbors heard gunshots and screaming inside the Luster residence. Patrol officers entered the home and found Danny Luster with a gunshot wound to the head inside the living room. They found the bodies of his wife, Sandra Luster, and the family dog’s inside a bedroom. In the other bedroom, they found Matthew Luster who was calling for help.

"The medical examiner’s office determined Sandra Luster’s death was a homicide, while Danny Luster's manner of death was a suicide.

"According to the search warrant affidavit, Daniel Luster had recently been showing signs of depression.

"`The family was in the process of making him an appointment with a mental health professional,` said Vancouver police Detective Carole Boswell.

"During a search of the residence, detectives found five rifles, including the suspected murder weapon, two shotguns, boxes of ammunition, shell casings and live rounds, according to court records. They also found a prescription for alprazolam, also known as Xanax, for Danny Luster. Alprazolam is used to treat anxiety and depression. One of its side effects can be thoughts of suicide, according to the National Institutes of Health."

From the Columbian...