A struggling Florida veteran shot and murdered his wife and stepdaughter, both of whom were terminally ill, before taking his own life on Wednesday, May 18, according to cops. The Hillsborough Sheriff's Office said that Thomas Schultz told a 911 dispatcher that he had been caring for his stricken family members, but they were now in an impossible situation, with no way out.
Schultz said he had to get off the phone soon after with the dispatcher attempting to soothe the retired Air Force serviceman, according to the New York Post. Authorities said the 64-year-old replied, "I'm fixin' to shoot myself," to the dispatcher.
After the call, deputies responded to Schultz's home, finding him dead on a rear porch from a self-inflicted gunshot wound with a revolver at his side. The officers then entered his residence and found Schultz's wife shot dead in her bed. Investigators believe the 84-year-old Joy Schultz was killed in her sleep.
Schultz's wife and stepdaughter suffering from terminal illnesses
Schultz's stepdaughter was also shot dead, with officers finding her in a hospital-style bed in another room. She was still connected to feeding tubes related to her illness at the time of her death. The woman was in her 50s.
In a press conference, Sheriff Chad Chronister told ABC Action News that they had learned from the family that both Schultz's wife and stepdaughter were suffering from terminal illnesses.
Chronister said the 911 dispatcher who received the call had recently lost a loved one to suicide and was struggling with the death of Schultz. Chronister noted in the press briefing that Schultz had no criminal history and that officers had never been called to the home previously.
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Schultz showed signs he was struggling with his family's situation
A neighbor told the Tampa Bay Times in an interview that Schultz confided his struggles to him recently and said that his situation was becoming difficult to bear. Troy Quinn told the outlet that Schultz was saying it is stressful and overwhelming.
Quinn tried to ease Schultz's concerns, telling him, "I'm here for you if you ever need to talk, and if there's anything I can do, let me know." Quinn said Schultz told him he would.
Unfortunately for those close to Schultz, he decided to end their lives instead. Deputies called it a double murder-suicide, with Schultz killing his wife and stepdaughter before turning the gun on himself in their Riverview home, located in the 13000 block of Graham Yarden Drive in the Windrose subdivision.
Quinn learned the sad news when he opened his garage door on Wednesday morning, finding crime scene tape circling Schultz's home and at least half a dozen Hillsborough Sheriff's Office vehicles parked outside the residence.
According to Quinn, Schultz served several years in the military with the U.S. Air Force and was retired. He added Schultz loved working in the yard of his immaculate, ranch-style home.
