SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) - Police on Monday released the names of a married couple who died in an apparent murder-suicide in Scottsdale.
They said 36-year-old Royce Dale Lillard III is suspected of fatally shooting his wife and barricading himself in their Scottsdale home before turning a gun on himself.
Police said the hours-long standoff began around 5 p.m. Sunday when officers were called to the couple’s home and found a woman later identified as 28-year-old Molly Elizabeth Lillard with gunshot wounds in front of the house.
She was taken to a hospital, where police said she was pronounced dead.
Officers tried to make contact with Royce Lillard inside the home, but he didn’t respond.
A SWAT team eventually made its way inside around 10:45 p.m. and found the man dead from what police said was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Police on Monday also said the couple’s 8-month-old child was present at the time of the incident.
They said the baby wasn’t injured and currently is in the care of the couple’s family members.
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