03-04-2011, 06:24 AM
more on CO boy
A 12-year-old devout Christian boy has been arrested after allegedly shooting dead his parents and leaving his two younger siblings fighting for life.
Regular church-goers Charles Long and his wife Marilyn were found dead on Tuesday night after their son called 911 to say there had been a shooting at his home in Burlington in eastern Colorado, near the Kansas border.
When police arrived they found the dead bodies of the Long parents, and their two critically injured children, a nine-year-old boy and a five-year-old girl.
The two children were airlifted to a hospital in Denver where they remain in 'dire' condition, police said.
The 12-year-old boy, who has not been named, was unhurt.
Neighbours said the Long children were home-schooled and the family was deeply religious, attending one neighbourhood church on Saturdays and another on Sundays.
The 12-year-old son handed out church bulletins and greeted visitors before Sunday service, worked with audio and video equipment, ran Powerpoint presentations and helped children learn memory verses.
A police spokesman said that the case has been sent to local prosecutors and that there are no other suspects.
Now the district attorney is set to file formal charges against the young boy, police said.
'We continue to hope for the speedy recoveries of the two children in the hospital and share in the sorrow that the Burlington community is feeling right now,' the spokesman added.
Warrants in the case are currently sealed, and authorities have not yet revealed any possible motive in the horrifying killing.
Family and friends gathered for a candlelight vigil near the family's home last night.
'You'd always see them around town, volunteering for stuff,' said Ronnie Speakman, who was at the vigil with about six other people who said they knew the family.
'He worked for Frito-Lay and you would alway see him stacking chips in the aisle, always a smile on his face,' he added.
‘It's shocking. They're good Christian people. They go to church. As far as I know, they had a happy family. You don't expect this to happen in a small town like this,’ neighbour Josh Schlichenmayer said.
Two blocks away at the Evangelical Free Church, which the family attended, Pastor Ron Lee told more than 100 people at a prayer service that the gathering was meant as an opportunity for prayer and encouragement while members grieve.
Briefed: Steve Johnson, left, Assistant Director of Colorado Bureau of Investigation, and Jim Davis, Executive, briefly talked to the media
Briefed: Steve Johnson, left, Assistant Director of Colorado Bureau of Investigation, and Jim Davis, Executive, briefly talked to the media
'Most of it is confusion,' Lee said.
'I don't understand exactly what's gone on or why. Some of the reports that have come out, I'm not sure I even believe it.'
Lee, church members and friends described the family as longtime residents and active members of the church, with Charles serving as an elder and Marilyn serving as director of the church's children's ministry.
The Longs had seven children, ranging in age from their mid-20s to five. The younger children were home schooled by Marilyn Long.
One church member, rancher Paul Rhoades, 74, said Marilyn Long grew up in Burlington and attended high school with his daughter.
Greg James, an elder at the church, said he visited the family - including older siblings and the children's grandmother - at The Children's Hospital in suburban Denver and visited the children as they recovered in the hospital.
He told the congregation that the family was hopeful the children would recover.
Lee said the boy missed church on Sunday because of a conflict with a school activity but that he called the church to make sure there was a substitute greeter.
'He was pleasant, helpful, a good spirit, a good kid,' Lee said.
'"I'm so shocked. I almost feel like I need to hear from him or one of the children. He's not your typical 12-year-old.'
Lee said there weren't any changes in jobs, housing, or schooling that the family talked about or any outward signs that might give a clue to what happened.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...z1FcqLv0Ka
A 12-year-old devout Christian boy has been arrested after allegedly shooting dead his parents and leaving his two younger siblings fighting for life.
Regular church-goers Charles Long and his wife Marilyn were found dead on Tuesday night after their son called 911 to say there had been a shooting at his home in Burlington in eastern Colorado, near the Kansas border.
When police arrived they found the dead bodies of the Long parents, and their two critically injured children, a nine-year-old boy and a five-year-old girl.
The two children were airlifted to a hospital in Denver where they remain in 'dire' condition, police said.
The 12-year-old boy, who has not been named, was unhurt.
Neighbours said the Long children were home-schooled and the family was deeply religious, attending one neighbourhood church on Saturdays and another on Sundays.
The 12-year-old son handed out church bulletins and greeted visitors before Sunday service, worked with audio and video equipment, ran Powerpoint presentations and helped children learn memory verses.
A police spokesman said that the case has been sent to local prosecutors and that there are no other suspects.
Now the district attorney is set to file formal charges against the young boy, police said.
'We continue to hope for the speedy recoveries of the two children in the hospital and share in the sorrow that the Burlington community is feeling right now,' the spokesman added.
Warrants in the case are currently sealed, and authorities have not yet revealed any possible motive in the horrifying killing.
Family and friends gathered for a candlelight vigil near the family's home last night.
'You'd always see them around town, volunteering for stuff,' said Ronnie Speakman, who was at the vigil with about six other people who said they knew the family.
'He worked for Frito-Lay and you would alway see him stacking chips in the aisle, always a smile on his face,' he added.
‘It's shocking. They're good Christian people. They go to church. As far as I know, they had a happy family. You don't expect this to happen in a small town like this,’ neighbour Josh Schlichenmayer said.
Two blocks away at the Evangelical Free Church, which the family attended, Pastor Ron Lee told more than 100 people at a prayer service that the gathering was meant as an opportunity for prayer and encouragement while members grieve.
Briefed: Steve Johnson, left, Assistant Director of Colorado Bureau of Investigation, and Jim Davis, Executive, briefly talked to the media
Briefed: Steve Johnson, left, Assistant Director of Colorado Bureau of Investigation, and Jim Davis, Executive, briefly talked to the media
'Most of it is confusion,' Lee said.
'I don't understand exactly what's gone on or why. Some of the reports that have come out, I'm not sure I even believe it.'
Lee, church members and friends described the family as longtime residents and active members of the church, with Charles serving as an elder and Marilyn serving as director of the church's children's ministry.
The Longs had seven children, ranging in age from their mid-20s to five. The younger children were home schooled by Marilyn Long.
One church member, rancher Paul Rhoades, 74, said Marilyn Long grew up in Burlington and attended high school with his daughter.
Greg James, an elder at the church, said he visited the family - including older siblings and the children's grandmother - at The Children's Hospital in suburban Denver and visited the children as they recovered in the hospital.
He told the congregation that the family was hopeful the children would recover.
Lee said the boy missed church on Sunday because of a conflict with a school activity but that he called the church to make sure there was a substitute greeter.
'He was pleasant, helpful, a good spirit, a good kid,' Lee said.
'"I'm so shocked. I almost feel like I need to hear from him or one of the children. He's not your typical 12-year-old.'
Lee said there weren't any changes in jobs, housing, or schooling that the family talked about or any outward signs that might give a clue to what happened.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...z1FcqLv0Ka