Police officials said the 40-year-old stepdad, later identified as Terril, was taken into custody and later charged with multiple charges, including: voluntary manslaughter, armed criminal action and second-degree murder, after he reportedly killed his two stepsons. Per reports, the fatal shooting occurred following an argument.
Both victims, 30-year-old Mario and 23-year-old Adonis, were pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect’s biological children, who were inside the residence at the time of the fatal shooting, were not harmed, police officials said. The victims’ mom called 911 and told the dispatcher that her husband shot her two sons. The responding officers reportedly found both victims in the kitchen suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
During the investigation, officials discovered that video captured the fatal incident. The video reportedly showed assaults in the basement and near the garage. In the video, the suspect can be seen grabbing a gun and approaching one of the brothers, who was reportedly holding a knife. Shortly after, the suspect can be seen firing warning shots into the ceiling. The victim’s mom then walked her sons out of the home. Unfortunately, both of them returned shortly after.
Then, when one of the brothers attempted to hit his stepdad, he reportedly shot him. The 40-year-old stepdad then shot the other stepson. According to L&C, while the victims were laying on the ground, their stepdad reportedly shot them again. During an interview with investigators, the 40-year-old man told investigators that he grabbed a gun after he was assaulted and claimed self-defense. Police officials said that none of the victims had a weapon when they were shot.