An Illinois father is now arrested for allegedly carrying out a family shooting, killing his wife and three daughters.
The man, Maher Kassem, shot his wife and three daughters due to an intense verbal argument in their household in Tinley Park, about 30 miles south of Chicago.
All women are now pronounced dead, and his 19-year-old son saw him shooting his sister and mother.
Illinois Father Arrested After Killing Wife, Three Daughters
The Illinois father is now charged with first degree murder. It was reported that he shot his family members in the basement while they were in the middle of a heated domestic argument at around 11:30 a.m.
According to his son, who is a witness to the crime, he heard his family downstairs in the basement arguing and later heard gunshot wounds. He found his three sisters, who are in their 20s, all dead, and saw his father shoot his third sister and mother.
Suddenly, gunshots shattered the tense atmosphere, leaving the son to discover the aftermath.
The young witness descended into the basement, only to find his mother on the floor and two sisters visibly injured. In a nightmarish sequence, he witnessed his father shooting his third sister and then turning the gun on his own wife.
The wife, Majeda Kassem, 53, sustained seven gunshot wounds, while the daughters-Halema Kassem, 25; Hanan Kassem, 24; and Zahia Kassem, 25-were also victims of multiple gunshots, according to authorities.
Chilling Details Emerge from Detention Proffer
Following the grisly act, Maher Kassem reportedly contacted the police, informing them that his wife had been shot.
When law enforcement arrived at the scene, Kassem allegedly admitted to the shootings, expressing a disturbing nonchalance.
The father of four stated, "They're gone" and assured the officer that "everything is ok." Further incriminating himself, Maher Kassem acknowledged responsibility, proclaiming, "I'm going to jail."
The detention proffer also reveals the father's grievances, citing familial conflicts and financial concerns.
Kassem's unsettling comments were captured on police video, where he lamented, "I worked all my life to give my family a better home, and they treat me like s---. They treat me like a dog." He added that his wife was "worried about money and where she can take it."
Community Mourns as Authorities Respond
Tinley Park Mayor Michael Glotz addressed the media in a press conference, describing the incident as a "senseless" act of domestic violence that claimed the lives of four innocent women residing in the home.
Tinley Park Police Chief Tom Tilton also noted that there were no previous reports of violence that were reported in the past in the Kassem household.
The police officers were able to recover arms, a .38 caliber revolver and a 9mm semi-automatic from the crime scene.
Authorities have admitted that this incident may be isolated to the home; however, Tinley Park Village Manager Pat Carr described it as a traumatic and shocking event for everyone involved and residing in the community.
The co-founder and executive director at Arab American Family Services, Itedal Shalabi, emphasized the broader issue, stating that this incident is a result of domestic violence and the power of one person over other family members.
As the close-knit community deals with the aftermath of the death of the family, this only highlights the importance of speaking up against domestic violence that happens both to women and men.
