US: Neighbor shoots woman and her daughter dead over noise complaint, then kills himself

The tragedy took place late last month in House Springs, Missouri. According to People magazine, an elderly man named Robert Winkelman approached his neighbor Jessica Lashley to complain about noise coming from her home at around 8:30 in the evening.

The conversation escalated into a confrontation, and after the woman said something, Winkelman pulled out a gun and shot her in the head. Her daughter, Jersey Grear, ran over after hearing the commotion to try to help her mother — but the killer shot her too.

Gunman tried to flee, then took his own life

Winkelman then fired at an unidentified person but missed in his agitated state. He then returned to his own house and barricaded himself inside. Before police arrived, he turned the gun on himself.

All three — the shooter and his two victims — were rushed to the hospital in critical condition, but none of them could be saved: the man and both women died of their injuries.

"Jersey tried to save my mom until the very end. That shows how brave she was, and I hope I can now be at least half as courageous as she was," said Justice Grear, Jersey's twin sister. Justice herself was spared the tragedy, as she was at work at the time.

Man had previously drawn police attention

According to investigators, Winkelman had "constantly expressed irritation" over what was happening at his neighbor's house. At the time of the tragedy, he was also wanted on two counts of assault and two counts of armed offenses.

According to The New York Post, Jersey Grear's organs were donated to six people, including three children. "Knowing that because of Jersey, three children and three adults got a chance at a new life brings us some comfort during this difficult time," the victim's relatives said.

"Although we would give anything to have her back with us, we are so proud of her incredible gift," the family added.

Source: novinky.cz