Father kills 4 children, self after spousal dispute (2006 US murder totals - 8788 and rising)

Fort Wayne Journal Gazette ^ | 7/04/06

[Libloather]

Father kills 4 children, self after spousal dispute
Associated Press
Posted on Wed, Jul. 05, 2006

An undated photo provided by the Gustine Police Department shows twins Alyssa Branscum, 5, left, and Taylor Branscum. The twins and their two other siblings were found dead in their Gustine, Calif., home Tuesday, July 4, 2006, officials said. The children apparently died of gunshots to the head, and their father, Trevor Branscum, 38, died of a self-inflicted wound, Mayor Jim Bonta said. Police Sgt. Vince Inaudi said the children appeared to be sleeping when they were shot. The evidence was consistent with a murder-suicide, but the department planned to conduct a full homicide investigation, he said. (AP Photo/Gustine Police Department)

GUSTINE, Calif. – A man who was seen arguing with his wife Tuesday later killed his four young children with a hunting rifle before turning the gun on himself, officials said.

Authorities identified the dead siblings as Aubrie Branscum, 12; Jacob, 10; and twins Taylor and Alyssa, 5.

The children apparently died of gunshots to the head, according to Mayor Jim Bonta.

Their father, Trevor Branscum, 38, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities told the mayor Branscum had to reload the rifle before each shot.

Bonta said that the family had lived in Gustine for several years and that police were unaware of any previous problems with the family.

“They were happy; they were doing fireworks together last night,” Bonta said.

The bloodshed came about an hour after a store owner called police to report that Branscum and his wife, Amanda, were having an argument. Police said that as the woman drove away in a van, her husband dove through the window.

Authorities said that after police were called to the Branscum home before 2 a.m., officers saw Amanda Branscum lying in the road uninjured; the father and children were found dead inside the house.

[wallcrawlr]

are you hot?

[Toby06]

LOL, only in flashes!

[Toby06]

Yeah that!

[starfish923]

are you hot?

Only to old men, since I am old.

I'm going to the Club now for my usual 3x/week hourly swim. Then a Jacuzzi, maybe a steam or sauna. Then, I must make an appointment for a pedicure. We were in Maui snorkeling for 10 days and my feet are a mess. Got the hair appointment tomorrow and the manicure Wednesday. I DO have fabulous hair. My nails are also fabulous....long and decorative.

I am a high maintenance older woman, expensive, but not prohibitive. I clean up well. :o)

I DON'T want to know about you.....sorry, your call sign is such a turn off. Wall crawlers are squished or sprayed to death in my house, geckos and other insect-eating-lizard-wall-crawlers exempt.

[wallcrawlr]

wow...how do you fit the therapy in with all that?

[najida]

LOL!
You guys are doin' great!

[Toby06]

I'm gonna go you-know-what in the pool at the Club before you-know-who gets there. BRB!

[HOTTIEBOY]

You NEED to get the CAPS keys FIXED.

[HOTTIEBOY]

Only to old men, since I am old.
I'm going to the Club now for my usual 3x/week hourly swim. Then a Jacuzzi, maybe a steam or sauna. Then, I must make an appointment for a pedicure.

I think I just threw up a little bit in my mouth.

[najida]

I think she likes you Hottie....
Don't let her see your bike :)

[HOTTIEBOY]

That pool is like a flabby armed spanking machine.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Why did I click on this? ;)

[najida]

That is NOT a pleasant visual.

[CougarGA7]

It's like I've always said. If you are a parent and feel the need to do this. Kill yourself first and then go after the kids.

[HOTTIEBOY]

Kramer reference.

[motormouth]

1. He left out the apostrophe in "I'm" and "wouldn't."
2. He forgot that he asked a question and left out the question mark at the end of "...was that supposed to say...."
3. He has to put either a period or semicolon after "Im just checking" because that is required in English. Perhaps he doesn't even know that one.

"He" is a she.
No, it is supposed to be a comma after "I'm just checking", not a period. You get an A- for effort though.
And my comment was in reference to WHAT you were saying not your puctuation. I didnt understand, "One can only hope neither of youR breed." Anyone that speaks English wouldn't have understood it either.

[Xenalyte]

So do you and LMF know one another?

[Xenalyte]

Just so you know, putting "Ignore button: ON" in your post doesn't render invisible the poster you think you're ignoring.

[Xenalyte]

No, it is supposed to be a comma after "I'm just checking", not a period. You get an A- for effort though.

Since "I'm just checking" is a complete thought and a complete sentence, and there's no conjunction after the comma, said comma should indeed be a semicolon or a period. ;)

[Lacie]

Bank of America
Account # 00515-41026
Branscum-Trimble Children's Trust

Instead of running your mouth about matters you know nothing about put your money where your mouth is and donate.If you feel the need to keep talking on this subject then turn your anger where it belongs onto Trevor. Amanda should be kept in everyones prayers as well as Aubree,Jake,Taylor and Alyssa.