A central Pennsylvania father, Kenneth Ayers shot and killed his 2-year-old son, while wounding his estranged wife, Hollie Joe, during a custody exchange before killing himself, authorities said on Sunday, reported by the Associated Press. Police said Ayers also shot at his mother during the altercation on Sunday morning at her home in a rural area about 20 miles southwest of State College.
Huntingdon County District Attorney George Zanic said Ayers, 52, was subject to a protection from abuse order filed by his wife but was permitted visits to see his son, police said.
At his estranged wife Hollie Joe's house, the mayhem ensued. Initially Ayers got into an altercation with Hollie Jo, which led to him shooting her in the legs and with a .40 caliber handgun. He then turned the gun on his son, police said.
He then placed the child's body in the back of his vehicle but she momentarily retrieved the boy's body, but he shot her again in the face. During this time, he also shot at his mother who was present but he missed her.
Hours later, Ayers body was found in his parked truck in a wooded area in Warriors Mark Township, Pennsylvania, where he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Holly Joe was transported to a hospital, and as of late Sunday, is expected to survive, police said.
Authrorities are also seeking an autopsy to determine whether Ayers was under the influence drugs or alcohol, and all pertinent information that surrounds the case, and the incident, the Associated Press reported.
"Words can't describe the scene ... heartbreaking," Zanic told reporters.
