An 8-year-old boy found his parents dead in bed after an apparent murder-suicide, then carried the murder weapon to a neighbor’s house to report the discovery.
A Guyanese man, 37-year-old Adytia Ramotar, is believed to have shot and killed his ex-wife, 35-year-old Sharon Forbes, and then himself on the morning of October 14 in Smyrna, Tennessee. The couple were divorced but were attempting to reconcile, according to reports.
Three children are believed to have been inside the residence when the incident occurred, the couple’s two children, ages 8 and 6, plus a nephew, 2.
Their 8-year-old son went to a neighbor’s house early in the morning, carrying a firearm, and told his shocked neighbors his parents were dead.
NewsChannel5 reports the Guyanese family had moved to the neighborhood two months ago, and that neighbors had not known them exceptionally well.
Neighbor Kevin Beard said, “[He] actually asked me can I move my car up a little bit because it was in the way of his truck. They seemed all happy and everything, him and the kids.”
Apparently another neighbor heard a gunshot early in that morning but assumed it was someone doing home repairs.
Beard added, “It’s kind of sad actually and unexpected. To see somebody and talk to them and the next thing you know they’re gone. And to see their kids and not know who’s going to watch them or who’s going to be there for them.”
The children were asleep during the shooting and are not believed to have witnessed it. It was being assessed where and whom they would be staying with.
At this time, it’s unclear why the violence took place, but police have started their investigation and have collected several envelopes they hope can shed light on the case.