Police: Bel-Air dad murdered 3-year-old son and then killed himself
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Tragic and disturbing news out of Bel Air, Maryland, after detectives with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office reported investigating a murder and a subsequent suicide as a three-year-old boy was reportedly shot to death by his father. The murder – suicide happened inside their home. The deceased were identified as Jason DeWitt, 38, and his three-year-old son, Grayson.
On Thursday, October 15, at approximately 5:54 p.m., deputies assigned to the Harford County Sheriff’s Office were alerted to a possible suicidal person in the 600 block of High Plain Drive in Bel Air. Deputies responded to the area, established a perimeter and attempted to make contact with the occupants of the residence. Information gathered at the scene indicated two people, including a child were potentially inside the residence.
Upon receiving that information, and after failing to make contact with the occupants inside the home, deputies made entry into the residence in an attempt to locate anyone in distress or danger. While clearing the residence, deputies located a handwritten note indicating explosives could detonate if the search continued. This caused deputies to exit the structure and evacuate nearby residences.
At approximately 11:30 p.m., utilizing resources and equipment of the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshall, entry was made into a bedroom within the home.
There, deputies located Jason Douglas DeWitt, 38, and his son, Grayson DeWitt, 3, both dead from gunshot wounds.
The investigation was assumed by detectives from the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division. Investigators from the Forensic Services Unit responded to the area to collect and preserve physical evidence in support of the investigation.
Additional assets requested to the scene included the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team, Crisis Negotiation Team, Harford County K-9 Unit and allied agencies, the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshall and the Maryland Transportation Authority Police.
A neighbor of the DeWitts, Jessica Byrne, told CBS News in Baltimore that many children live in that neighborhood – and that her kids played with Grayson on multiple occasions.
“I can’t imagine someone would want to do that do their kid. I mean, I have two kids. I don’t understand it,” she said.
Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said that, “It’s never going to make sense to us because it’s such a senseless act for anyone, much less a father to take the life of his 3-year-old son,” according to WBAL-TV.
If you’re thinking about taking your own life and need help, call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255. They are available 24 hours, 7 days a week.
This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information regarding this case is asked to call the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at 410-836-5442.
(Source: Harford County Sheriff’s Office)
~ Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter
