SACO, Maine — Police in Maine say a suicidal man having financial problems killed his wife, three children and then himself.
33-year-old Joel Smith shot his family inside their apartment about 11:30 p.m. Saturday with a 12-gauge shotgun.
Twelve-year-old Jason Montez and 7-year-old Noah Montez were shot to death in their separate bedrooms. Thirty-five-year-old Heather Smith and 4-year-old Lily Smith were shot in the parents' bed. Joel Smith's body was found on the floor nearby, the gun by his side.
"This is a domestic violence homicide and one of the worst in the state's history." says Maine State Police spokesman Stephen McCausland.
"There was nothing before to suggest anything of a domestic violence nature," he says. "Neighbors did hear noises Saturday night probably about the times of the shootings, but no-one called police."
No suicide note was found, but investigators say the wife had told a family friend the night of the shooting that Joel Smith recently had threatened suicide.
A state police detective meanwhile says the family had domestic issues and financial problems.