Cops: 1 Son Escapes as Fla. Dad Kills Family, Self

[Are_grits_groceries]

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) -- A 13-year-old boy ran through a garage to escape his family's slaughter at the hands of his father, who then took his own life on their front lawn, authorities said.

Investigators were still searching for a motive for the slayings late Sunday. They said Troy Ryan Bellar, 34, shot and killed his wife, Wendy Bellar, 31, and two young sons before killing himself outside their home in Lakeland, located between Tampa and Orlando.

Wendy Bellar tried to leave the home with two of the children after a fight with her husband, Polk County Sheriff's Department spokesman Scott Wilder said in a statement.

But Troy Bellar opened fire with a 7.62 mm rifle and killed his wife, 5-month-old Zack James Bellar and 8-year-old Ryan Patrick Bellar in the front porch area.

Another son, 13-year-old Nathan Bellar, was pursued through the garage by his father, evaded several gunshots, and made it safely to a neighbor's house. The boy was being placed with family members.

Investigators were still trying to determine the sequence of the shooting.

No neighbors were injured by gunfire, according to a canvass by deputies.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/05/04/us/AP-US-Florida-Slayings.html

Nothing left to say...................

[Blue_Tires]

1. that poor family...that survivor will be haunted for life...

[Frustratedlady]

2. This is getting to be a daily occurrence.

How tragic for that poor boy. I agree, he'll live with this haunting him for life.

[Blue_Tires]

3. local story coverage

http://www.theledger.com/article/20090504/NEWS/905049946/1410?Title=Lakeland-Man-Kills-Wife-2-Children-Self

LAKELAND | Four people were killed Sunday night in South Lakeland in one of the worst shooting rampages in Polk County history.

And jail records show there were problems in the house as recently as March, when the woman killed Sunday had recently been arrested on a domestic battery charge.

The killings happened late Sunday when deputies say Troy Ryan Bellar, 34, shot and killed his wife, Wendy R. Bellar, 31; 5-month-old Zack; and 7-year-old Ryan Patrick. They said he also shot at another son, David Nathaniel, 13, but he escaped unharmed.

Troy Bellar fired numerous shots with a .308 caliber hunting rifle with a scope, officials said. He chased Nathan through the garage and fired several shots at him as the boy ran to a neighbor's house.

Deputies were sent to the house at 9:29 p.m. after a 911 call was received. They found bodies near the porch of the home at 2018 Creekbend Drive in the Creekbend subdivision south of Drane Field Road and east of Lakeland Linder Regional Airport.

[Submariner]

4. We are witnessing "The Bush Legacy"

he tore the nation apart and left town the coward that he is. Thanks Bush crime family.

[imdjh]

5. There is something about Polk County- calling it "near Tampa" is misleading

I'm not being snotty here- crazy stuff happens in Polk County with regularity. It's much more rural than Tampa or Orlando and sits between them. It has a meth problem. It has a poverty problem as well as a clash between the poor and the middle class who buy monster houses out there because they are affordable away from the cities.

Lakeland is actually a lovely place, but you don't have to wander too far out of town center to find trouble.

[lpbk2713]

6. I'm glad that SOB is dead.

That's not the sort of thing I would say very often but

in that asshole's case I'm glad to make an exception.

[madmom]

7. The wife/mother has a domestic violence charge against her..

interesting. It is making me wonder if there is not more to the story. About 15 years ago my SO and I had a terrible fight. He had me backed into a corner, I pushed him so I could get out and he fell. He called sheriff, I have a domestic violence charge on me.Wondering if the same sort of scenario didn't happen here?:shrug: