5 Family Members Were Slaughtered, But 1 Victim Managed To Name The Suspect Before Dying

A mother of two and her parents were all shot in California, but one of the victims managed to name the suspect before dying.

Brenda Morales, 36, and her two young children, William, 6, and Wesley, 1, were shot along with Morale’s parents, 70-year-old Miguel and 56-year-old Marta, according to People Magazine. Before Miguel died, he named his son-in-law, Shane Killian, as the shooter.

Killian, 54, was arrested without incident, Alameda Police Chief Nishant Joshi said during a press conference following the arrest. He said police responded to the home on July 10 after receiving a report that someone had been shot. When police first arrived, they found Miguel and offered assistance. Miguel managed to name Killian before succumbing to his injuries, KTVU reported.

Police “became focused on a nearby residence,” Joshi said at the press conference, and went to the door. Killian answered and was taken into custody without incident. Afterward, police searched the home where Miguel was and found the bodies of the other four victims. Morales was Killian’s wife, William and Wesley were his children, and Miguel and Marta were his in-laws.

Killian has been charged with four counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, corporal injury to a relationship partner, elder or dependent adult abuse, infliction of injury, possession of an assault weapon, and possession of an unconventional pistol, the Alameda County District Attorney said in a statement.

Wesley initially survived the incident but died in the hospital, according to a GoFundMe set up to help cover funeral costs and relocating the victims’ bodies to their native El Salvador.

Alameda police told People Magazine they expect Killian to be charged with Wesley’s death as well. It is unclear why Killian allegedly killed his family.

He is currently being held without bail, according to KRON 4. His defense attorney, Palden Ukyab, told the outlet his client intends to plead not guilty.

William, who was just 6, played in the Alameda Little League. An official from the organization told KTVU that his death has impacted the community.

“Our heart goes out to them in its fullest,” Alameda Little League President Ron Matthews told the outlet. “This is really harmful to us – hurtful I should say.”