Argument Preceded New Jersey Murder/Suicide

"ELIZABETH, NJ - A man fatally shot his common-law wife this weekend before turning the weapon on himself, authorities said today.

"Maria Alvarez, 45, was found with a gunshot wound to the chest when police were called to the couple's home in the 700 block of Magie Avenue about 8:20 p.m. Saturday night, according to the Union County Prosecutor's Office.

"Argael Rincon, 52, was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Both were pronounced dead at the scene, the prosecutor's office said.

"The prosecutor's office said a relative told authorities the pair had been arguing before shots were fired.

"The Union County Medical Examiner classified the shooting as a murder-suicide, the prosecutor's office said. A .32 caliber handgun was recovered at the scene, according to the prosecutor's office."

From nj.com...

Nursing Home Horror

"VERO BEACH, FL - Police on Monday morning were investigating a possible murder-suicide at a nursing home that left a husband and wife dead.

"Police were called shortly before 9 a.m. to the Royal Palm Convalescent Center in the 2100 block of 10th Avenue.

"The couple were in the courtyard when witnesses heard gunfire, Indian River County Fire Marshal Brian Nolan said.

"No further details were released."

Source: SunSentinel.com...

"Jerry Shot Me"

"SAN ANTONIO, TX - San Antonio police arrested a 41-year-old man early Sunday morning, when he allegedly tried to kill himself and his 25-year-old wife in their North Side home.

"Jerry Contreras is being held in Bexar County Jail on one count of attempted murder; his bond is set at $50,000. He was originally booked by proxy at University Hospital, where both he and his wife, April Contreras, were taken to be treated for gunshot wounds. She remains hospitalized in stable condition, officials said.

"Officers were called to the couple's home in the 1200 block of Basse Road around 1:30 a.m., when a neighbor called police to report that a man had shot his wife in the head in an attempted murder-suicide. April Contreras was in the shower when she sustained a gunshot wound to the jaw, according to a San Antonio Police Department incident report, and her husband of several months was found slumped over, sitting in a pool of blood nearby.

"According to Bexar County records, the couple's marriage license was validated in February 2009. It was not immediately clear what led to the shooting.

"The report states that April Contreras was screaming, `Jerry shot me,` and `help him, he shot himself,` when officers arrived at the home. Police recovered a .22-caliber rifle believed to have been used in the shooting, and the couple was taken to University Hospital, where Jerry Contreras was booked by proxy, officials said.

"He was treated and released to the Bexar County Jail around 7:30 a.m."

From mysanantonio.com...

Police Stop Concludes Murder/Suicide

"SAUK VILLAGE, IL - A Markham man, after shooting his ex girlfriend and killing a man she was with in Sauk Village, turned the gun on himself when police stopped him later Friday night.

"About 9:10 p.m. Friday, Sauk Village police got a call of a shooting in the 22000 block of Jeffrey Avenue, according to a release from Sauk Village police. When officers got to the scene, they found a woman who had been shot. She was taken to a local hospital, police said.

"Officers also found a second victim, 43-year-old Robert Allen of Carthage, Miss., dead in a nearby driveway.

"Allen was taken to St. Margaret Mercy Hospital in Dyer, Ind. where he was pronounced dead at 10:45 p.m., according to the Lake County, Ind. Coroner's Office. Allen had been shot multiple times.

"The suspect was identified and a flash message was broadcast over the Illinois State Police Emergency Radio Network, with information on the suspect and his vehicle, the release said.

"The suspect, identified as Paul Gunn, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office, was later stopped by police in the area of 162nd and Dixie Highway in Markham. Gunn, who was armed, turned the weapon on himself and shot himself. He was taken to Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey, where he was pronounced dead at 10:44 p.m., according to the medical examiner's office.

"The woman who was shot was reportedly the girlfriend or ex-girlfriend of Gunn's, according to a source. Gunn lived at 49 W. 159th St., according to the medical examiner's office.

"Police are continuing to investigate the shootings and had no further details Saturday morning."

From the Chicago Sun-Times...

Thanksgiving Murder/Suicide

"RANDOLPH COUNTY, AL - A tragic Thanksgiving in East Alabama, as police investigate a murder-suicide.

"Randolph County Sheriff Jeff Fuller [said] 28-year-old Tracy Ward shot his wife Thursday around noon, outside a house on County Road 7 - that's in the Swagg Community, near Wedowee.

"Other family members inside the home called 911 but Sheriff Fuller says Ward, armed with a rifle, kept medics from treating his wife.

"Then, when deputies showed up, they say Ward shot and killed himself.

"His wife was pronounced dead at the hospital. Her name has not been released yet, while officials contact her next of kin.

"Tracy Ward and his wife leave behind two children, ages 3 and 5.

"As for the murder-suicide, the Alabama Bureau of Investigation is now investigating, along with the Randolph County Sheriff's Department."

From WTVM.com...