Watch CBS News

Husband Responsible For Triple Murder-Suicide In Brooklyn Park

BROOKLYN PARK, Md. (WJZ)— Police in Anne Arundel County are combing through evidence, trying to determine what led a man to kill his wife and her two children before turning the gun on himself. 

Jessica Kartalija has the latest.

Friends say 33-year-old Kelly Brian Thompson would give you the shirt off his back.

"It's unbelievable.  I don't understand.  I don't see him doing this; he's not that type of person," said Tiffani Price.

Now they're baffled by news that Thompson killed his wife, Nina and her twins, 15-year-old Taishawn and Treshawn Pugh before shooting himself at their Brooklyn Park townhome.

"It's traumatic for everyone, the family members of the deceased," said Anne Arundel County Police Lt. JD Batten.

Police tell WJZ Thompson's mother received a cryptic text message from her son.  When she and police arrived at his home, they heard the final gunshot.  They stormed the house and kicked in the front door. 

A neighbor said he and Kelly were very close friends.  He didn't want to go on camera but he says he is in the process of planning a memorial for the family.

"You never heard arguments between the family. Police were never there.  The kids were always very quiet and stayed inside the house to themselves," said neighbor Kevin Fullerton.

Neighbors say Thompson recently sold two cars and talked of selling his favorite motorcycle, suggesting the family may have had financial trouble.  But police say a motive in this murder/suicide is still unclear.

"She was a wonderful person.  I mean, she was very kind.  She would help anybody out," Price said.

Neighbors say Thompson recently started a new job with a trucking company.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.