The Latest: Dad suspected in murder-suicide had lots of ammo

Published July 31, 2018

The Latest on a New York City murder-suicide that left four people dead, including a 6-year-old boy (all times local):

4:30 p.m.

Police say the suspect in a New York City murder-suicide was armed with a pair of pistols and seven extra magazines loaded with about 70 more rounds.

The NYPD says 39-year-old James Shields shot himself Monday night in his Queens apartment after fatally shooting his wife, ex-wife Linda Olthof and 6-year-old son Giacomo James.

Chief of Detectives Dermot Shea said Tuesday that evidence indicated Shields was in a bitter custody dispute with Olthof, who was raising Giacomo in the Netherlands.

Shea said Olthof and Giacomo arrived in New York on July 21 for visitation with Shields. The physical therapist had ranted online that the dispute had sent his life spiraling "out of control."

Shea said a building caretaker called 911. He said Shields had a permit to have guns in the home.

1:15 p.m.

A murder-suicide that left four people dead in New York City, including a 6-year-old boy, may have stemmed from a trans-Atlantic custody fight.

Police found suspect James Shields; his son, Jimmy; and two women dead in a Queens apartment around 9 p.m. Monday.

Shields' father told reporters Tuesday that his son was in a bitter custody dispute. James Shields Sr. said his son's ex-wife was getting ready to take Jimmy to the Netherlands next week.

James Shields Jr. posted on GoFundMe in April under the subject "Child Kidnapping" that his Dutch artist ex-wife only wanted the boy in the U.S. two weeks a year.

He called the arrangement something "I just can't accept as a father."

He also said his perfect life had "spiraled out of control."

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/us/the-latest-dad-suspected-in-murder-suicide-had-lots-of-ammo