Three Children Escape Home After Father Kills Mother in Sacramento Murder-Suicide

An apparent murder-suicide incident in Sacramento County has left three children without their parents, authorities said. An initial argument apparently escalated into a violent encounter.

Officials have not yet released the identities of the deceased.

According to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded around 9:30 p.m. on March 20 to a home on the 2600 block of Edison Avenue near Ball Way following a 911 call reporting an assault.

Deputies arrived on scene, breached the door, and found an unresponsive adult female and adult male. Both were pronounced deceased at the scene.

Authorities said one of the children made the 911 call, reporting that their father was assaulting their mother. “Fortunately, the three juveniles in the residence fled from the scene while our deputies arrived,” the sheriff said.

The three children were later found unharmed.

The case remains under investigation, and officials have not yet confirmed the exact circumstances of the deaths.

According to neighbors, the children are currently doing “okay” because of their swift thinking.

A neighbor told local media that the father had previously been arrested and was released from prison a few months ago.

“It’s unimaginable. I wonder how confused the kids must be feeling right now,” the neighbor said, according to ABC10.

Deputies and a chaplain were in touch with family members about where the three children would go, according to KCRA.

The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office said its Homicide Unit and Crime Scene Investigation team are continuing to investigate.

In unrelated news, businesses in Sacramento are recovering after a series of 11 burglaries.

Police arrested a suspect believed to be connected to all incidents. The Garden at the Line and The Mill in East Sacramento were among the first businesses targeted, according to KCRA.

"There has been an increase in burglaries throughout the city of Sacramento, specifically in our south and east areas," said Anthony Gamble from the Sacramento Police Department.

Arthur Jasper, 23, was taken into custody on March 14 in the area of 41st and J Street.

Police said he had five warrants for five additional burglaries and is a repeat offender.