The suspect in the shooting deaths of three women and a girl in Tennessee is found dead

Memphis — A man in Tennessee He committed suicide on Sunday when authorities were looking for him on suspicion of killing four of his female relatives and seriously injuring a fifth in a deadly episode of domestic violence, police reported.

Officers found Mavis Christian Jr., 52, in his car during a search operation following shootings in three locations in Memphis, in which three women and a teenage girl were killed, and another teenage girl suffered serious injuries, he said in a statement. Memphis Police.

Police stated that Christian was related to the victims but did not specify what type. So far he has not released the names of the victims.

“We are deeply saddened by Saturday’s tragic and senseless shootings…which resulted in the deaths of four innocent family members and the serious injuries of a fifth victim.”says the note published on social networks. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their loved ones as our community mourns other lives lost to domestic violence.”.

Police Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis said “incidents like this shake us to the core.”

The suspect’s uncle, Melvin Christian, said he doesn’t know what could have sparked the violence.

“I haven’t seen him in years.”Melvin Christian stated when reached by phone on Sunday.

He said he did not know the details of the event, including who had been shot. When he found out that four people were shot, he responded: “My God.”

Officers responded to a report of shots fired at 9:22 pm at the 100 Block of Howard Drive. They found a woman with an apparent gunshot wound, pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators determined there were two other related fatal shootings. On Field Lark Drive, a woman and a 13-year-old girl were shot to death and a 15-year-old girl suffered serious injuries. Another woman shot dead on Warrington Roadaccording to police officer Christopher Williams.

Police said they believed Christian was responsible for all three incidents and launched a search operation with local, state and federal agencies.

All of the shootings were believed to be a domestic violence situation, according to police.