1-year old girl and 3-year old boy witness murder-suicide by father in St. Louis

Bennie Thomas, age 28, apparently shot and killed his wife, Antionette Blanton Thomas, age 24, by shooting her once in the chest with a gun he bought earlier this year, then turned the gun on himself, shooting himself also once in the chest, in their St. Louis, Missouri home.  Both shots were fatal.

Apparently witnessing the event were their 1-year old daughter and 3-year old son.  Both children were found bloody, with the bodies, several days after the shooting occurred.

Neither child suffered any physical injuries.

From an article:

The bodies of Antionette Blanton Thomas, 24, and her husband, Bennie W. Thomas, 28, were found Friday afternoon in their kitchen at 640 N. 23rd St. by family members who had not heard from the couple.

The two children, a 1-year-old girl and a 3-year-old boy, were bloodied but not injured. They have been released to the custody of family members.

Based on comments from the 3-year-old child and evidence at the scene, police believe Bennie Thomas shot his wife and then himself, Illinois State Police Capt. James Morrisey said.

Each victim suffered a single gunshot wound to the chest.

The children were transported to Children's Hospital in St. Louis, examined and released.

A pistol, purchased by Antionette Blanton Thomas earlier this year, was found near the bodies and an initial examination indicates this was the weapon used in the shooting.

Read more here: http://www.bnd.com/2012/06/03/2197254/murder-suicide-suspected-in-east.html#storylink=cpy

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