Father believed to be gunman in alleged murder-suicide, police say
FAIRBANKS, Alaska -- Police in Alaska say a preliminary investigation shows 22-year-old McKay Hutton was the gunman who killed three others -including an infant - and himself at a hotel on Friday.
The Fairbanks police public information officer released a statement Saturday saying a motive is unknown. The victims were identified as 54-year-old Linda Hutton, 22-year-old Emily McDonald and 8-week-old Teagan Hutton.
Hotel staff called Fairbanks police and fire departments to a Hampton Inn on Friday afternoon. When officers arrived, a man found crying in a second-floor hallway directed police to a nearby room, where they found the bodies.
Police spokesman Doug Wellborn said a single firearm was found inside the hotel room, CBS affiliate KTVA reports.
Mason Jefferies calls himself a school buddy to McKay Hutton, whom he described as a family man. He said McKay Hutton and McDonald were married, and Teagan was their daughter, but that McKay Hutton took in McDonald’s son from a previous relationship and treated him as his own son. McKay Hutton posted on the Facebook group Fairbanks “ROCKS”!, showing off some of the family’s adventures at local parks.
“He’s an overall great person, and he’s a lovable man,” Jefferies said in a phone interview. “A little rowdy at times, but he’s a very fun person, and lovable.”
Jefferies said McDonald was kindhearted like her husband, and he was surprised when he learned of their deaths.
“They loved each other, they loved their country, and I don’t see a reason why they would have any complications in their relationship, but everybody has things that go on in their life that people don’t understand, so people are quick to judge, and they should take a sec to realize this tragic situation and give prayers for that,” he said.
Police said there was no indication that drugs or alcohol were involved in the deaths.
“There have been questions regarding another child. That child’s identity is not being released at this time but he was not present during this incident and is safe,” Wellborn said. “Relationship between this child and any of the victims is still being investigated.”Hotel staff called Fairbanks police and fire departments to a Hampton Inn on Friday afternoon. When officers arrived, a man found crying in a second-floor hallway directed police to a nearby room, where they found the bodies.
Police say the man who pointed them toward the bodies is a family member who wasn’t present during the shooting and is not being identified because he is not a suspect.
A single firearm was recovered in the room.
Autopsies will be performed on the victims on Monday.