Posted on 09/17/2011 1:32:36 PM PDT by Hildy
NEWTON — Authorities yesterday identified the three people former town treasurer Jennifer Gaines shot and injured Monday in Mason before turning the gun on herself.
One is 53-year-old Karl Thordkildsen, the father of her two children. Also shot was Mary Meacher, 53, of Mason and a girl who is relative of Meacher. Her name was not released because she is a juvenile.
State police and Hillsborough County Attorney Dennis Hogan would not reveal the relationship between the four people, saying only that Gaines and Thordkildsen had children together.
But Newton residents who knew the couple said they had been married for years and lived on North Main Street before moving in the last year or two. Hogan said Gaines, 60, recently moved to Derry and Thordkildsen was living in Mason.
Police responded to the home at 317 Old Ashby Road in Mason about 10 p.m. Monday after receiving a 911 call for a domestic dispute.
Gaines died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The three victims were taken to area hospitals with injuries that were not considered life-threatening. Their medical conditions were not available. Mason police and state police are still investigating the incident.
News of the shootings shocked residents of Newton, where Gaines was well known as a former town treasurer, School Board member and community volunteer.
Thordkildsen is described by residents, including Selectman Raymond Thayer, as a quiet man who usually stayed at home. He is also a skilled craftsman who makes bass guitars, Thayer said.
"He wasn't active in the community," he said. "He mostly kept to himself.
Thayer knew Gaines for more than 20 years, as did Planning Chairman and Sanborn Regional School Board member Jim Doggett.
Doggett, who also described as Thordkildsen as quiet, served on the School Board with Gaines for several years. He was especially surprised to hear about the shootings because he said Gaines was strongly opposed to guns.
"This is so completely out of the mold," he said.
Prayers for Mary.
Prayers for Mary are on the way. Please keep us posted, friend.
Lord, with saints in heaven we pray for the recovery of the victims, Mary and her daughter and Karl. We also pray that Thou hast mercy on their suicidal attacker.
In the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, amen.
Notre père, qui êtes aux cieux!
Que votre nom soit sanctificié. Que votre règne vienne.
Que votre volonté soit faite, sur la terre comme au ciel.
Donnez-nous aujourd'hui notre poindre ce jour.
Pardonnez-nous nos offenses, comme nous pardonnons aussi a ceux, qui nous ont offensés,
et ne nous soumetez pas à la tentation, mais délivrez-nous du mal.
Car c'est à toi qu'appartiènne, le régne, la puissance et la gloire, pour les siècles des siècles.
Amen.
Je vous salue, Marie, pleine de grâces,
le Seigneur est avec vous, vous êtes bénie entre toutes les femmes,
et Jésus le fruit de vos entrailles est béni.
Sainte Marie, Mère de Dieu, priez pour nous pauvres pécheurs,
maintenant, et à l'heure de notre mort. Ainsi-soit-il.
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)
Prayers for God’s blessings.
Prayers lifted for you, your friend and to all involved.
May God’s grace bring healing and some comfort.
Tatt
I’m so sorry. Prayers.
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