Dad Kills Wife, Self, At Daughter’s 16th Birthday Party [Video]

Grapevine, TX – A father shot his estranged wife and then killed himself during their daughter’s 16th birthday party, according to local authorities.

The shootings happened last Saturday outside the front door of the teen’s grandparents’ house, reports NBC News. Following the couple’s separation, 44-year-old Kristi Suckla had moved into her parents’ house with her teenage son and daughter.

The Huffington Post reports that despite the separation, the couple appeared to remain friendly.

According to Grapevine police, 43-year-old Kelly Suckla came over to the house Saturday night for the birthday party, but an argument broke out. Investigators say that, outside, Suckla shot and killed his estranged wife with a handgun and then took his own life.

The grandparents and the children were not hurt. The couple’s former neighbor, Donell Arseneau, teared up at the tragic news.

“They would just come over and we’d visit and I’d been over there a few times,” Arseneau said. “They’d have little parties on the weekends. They had just recently separated. Kristi hadn’t been staying over there (at her parents) but for just a few weeks.”

He also said that the former couple had recently celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary.

“They just got along so well so even when she moved to her parents, I just figured she’d be back in a little while,” she added.

Though Grapevine authorities are continuing an investigation, the deaths are being officially considered a murder-suicide.

Here’s a video report on the Grapevine murder-suicide: