La. Man Kills Estranged Wife, Son, Self

2-Year-Old Grandson Also Dead, Pregnant Daughter-in-Law Critically Wounded in Horrific Domestic Dispute

• Photo

  The vehicle of Dennis Wayne Carter Sr. after it rolled into a ditch outside Holden, La. Carter shot and killed his estranged wife and son at her house in Holden, Sept., 5, 2009, before fleeing and finally killing himself as police gave chase. His 2-year-old grandson also died, and his pregnant daughter-in-law was critically wounded. (WAFB)

(CBS/AP) A man shot his estranged wife and son to death inside a home late Saturday, then killed himself in his car when deputies tried to pull him over, authorities said.

His 2-year-old grandson also died, possibly while trying to escape out a second-story window, and his pregnant daughter-in-law was shot and critically injured, said Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office Chief of Operations Perry Rushing.

Rushing said the shootings appeared to stem from an ongoing dispute between the 50-year-old man and his wife, who had a restraining order against him.

Police told CBS Affiliate WAFB that Dennis Wayne Carter Sr. came to the home of his estranged wife in Holden at around 10:30 p.m. Saturday night and opened fire.

The victims include Carter's 26-year-old son, Dennis Carter Jr.; Carter's wife, 49-year-old Donna Carter; and his 2-year-old grandson.

His daughter-in-law Amber, who is pregnant, is believed to have cradled the 2-year-old as she jumped from a second story window. She was treated at the scene and then flown to a Baton Rouge hospital.

The 2-year-old, identified by CBS Affiliate WWLT as Mason Carter, did not survive.

A 16-month-old rescued from the crime scene was uninjured, WAFB reported.

WWLT reports that deputies called to the scene when a neighbor heard gunshots saw Carter Sr. walking from the house with a gun in his hand.

Rushing said deputies spotted the man about 20 minutes later driving on a highway. When they tried to pull him over, he shot and killed himself.

"It's very unusual to have this many victims," Rushing said. "This is an anomaly by any stretch of the imagination."

WWLT reports that according to Livingston Parish Detention Center booking records, Dennis Wayne Carter Sr. had been incarcerated on three separate occasions in 2009 alone on three separate charges of violation of a protective order and one charge of aggravated domestic assault.
Source