Connecticut Man Fatally Shoots Girlfriend and Two Daughters, Ages 4 and 12, Before Killing Himself

A 27-year-old Connecticut man, Patrick King, has been accused of killing his girlfriend, Felisha Matthews, and her two daughters before fatally shooting himself in a case of murder-suicide.

The incident occurred at King's residence in Plainville, Connecticut, where the man reportedly shot his girlfriend and her two daughters during a standoff with law enforcement, including a SWAT team, Plainville Police Chief Christopher Vanghele said during a press conference.

The Plainville police were alerted regarding a situation at around 3:53 p.m. on March 27, when a woman called 911 and reported the incident to the dispatcher. The woman who called the dispatch said her brother 'claimed that he shot and killed his girlfriend and his four-year-old daughter and was going to kill himself,' said Vanghele during the press briefing.

When officers arrived at King’s residence, they established a perimeter and attempted to communicate with him without success. A SWAT negotiator then established contact with King by phone.

After the negotiator failed to convince King to surrender, police deployed pepper gas inside the home to force compliance, Vanghele said. However, King shot himself in the head after the gas was deployed.

Law enforcement personnel attempted life-saving measures, and King was transported to a hospital, but he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival, according to the Plainville Police Chief.

Police discovered three bodies with fatal gunshot wounds inside the residence.

Vanghele identified the victims as 31-year-old Felisha Matthews, her 12-year-old daughter Molina Mathews, and her 4-year-old daughter Ava King.

Vanghele said King was “very new to this community.”

The family had moved into this home in January, and there were no previous calls to this residence.

The weapon used in the killing was legally registered to King, who held a permit to carry. Officers found several other firearms at the residence.

“This is an active investigation, and currently, there is no information as to the motive of the killer. This is a very dark day for the town of Plainville and Connecticut,” Vanghele said.