Husband, Wife Dead In Apparent Murder-Suicide

ROCKVILLE, Md. (AP) -- Montgomery County police have identified a husband and wife who died in an apparent murder-suicide at an assisted-living community.

Police say Albert Ballard, 80, of Rockville came to visit his wife, Sandra Ballard, Monday morning at the Village at Rockville. Sandra Ballard, 74, was a short-term rehabilitation patient at the facility.

Witnesses heard gunfire from Sandra Ballard's room and found the couple dead from gunshot wounds. Police recovered a gun they believe was used in the deaths.

Police were called to the scene around 10 a.m. and say the deaths are being investigated as a murder-suicide.

A statement from the community's CEO calls the deaths a tragedy and an isolated incident.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)