UPDATE: A welfare check of people living inside a home on a quiet street in the Village of Rochester Jan. 22 turned into triple tragedy when Racine County authorities discovered three members of a family dead in what appears to be a double murder and suicide.
The Racine County Sheriff’s Office, which initially did not release the victims’ names, identified them as Terrence G. Vinz, 65, Debra A. Meagher, 62, and Matthew T. Vinz, 30 on Tuesday morning.
The bodies of Meagher and Terrence Vinz, according to the Sheriff’s Office, were found concealed in the garage at the 400 North State Street home while the younger Vinz died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Sheriff Christopher Schmaling said in a news conference the evening of Jan. 22 that investigators are satisfied with the conclusion of murder-suicide with Matthew Vinz responsible for the deaths of Terrence Vinz and Meagher as well as his own. He said officials believe there is no further threat to the community.
ORIGINAL POST: Residents living near Village Hall in Rochester were instructed to shelter in their homes Friday afternoon while deputies dealt with what they described as “developing critical event.”
A SWAT team van and multiple squad cars from the Racine County Sheriff’s office were on the scene as of 2 p.m. Friday.
The Sheriff’s Office asked people to avoid the area in a Facebook message posted about 1:15 p.m.
Multiple people who indicated they live in the area replied to the post saying they received an automated phone message from the Sheriff’s Office instructing them to remain inside their homes.
Another resident said in a post that she received a call while at work and was told she would be notified when it was safe to return home.
A reporter on scene said it appeared the incident occurred just north of Village Hall, 300 W. Spring Street, which is in a mostly residential area.
To read a complete story on the incident see the Jan. 28 Burlington Standard Press or Jan. 29 Waterford Post.
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