Nearly four days after a mass murder-suicide that claimed the lives of three children and another woman, Sault Police have finished processing the crime scenes at two separate houses.
As of Friday afternoon, forensic investigators are no longer at the homes on Tancred Street and Second Line East that have been surrounded by yellow police tape since Monday night.
In a news release issued this afternoon, Chief Hugh Stevenson once again urged reporters and community members to respect the privacy of victims and their families.
“I want to stress, once again, the importance of respecting the victims and people affected by this tragedy,” the police chief said. “I urge community members and media alike: please respect their right to privacy. We have received numerous calls asking the service to relay that message. Please, allow them time to grieve the loss of their loved ones.”
Police say they are not releasing further details about the case to ensure the integrity of the investigation.
Forensic analysis of the evidence is ongoing. Police have previously said that a search warrant executed at the home on Second Line turned up two firearms: a long gun and a hand gun.
Sault Police say the mass murder was a horrific case of intimate partner violence. On Monday night, a man later identified as 44-year-old Bobbie Hallaert shot and killed 41-year-old Angie Sweeney at her home on Tancred Street. He then drove to the home on Second Line, where he killed three children — aged six, seven and 12 — before turning the gun on himself.
A 45-year-old woman was also shot, but was rushed to hospital and survived.
As SooToday reported earlier today, a GoFundMe has been set up by former city councillor Ozzie Grandinetti to raise funds for the victims' families.
A candlelight vigil is planned for tonight outside The Machine Shop, beginning at 6 p.m. SooToday will provide coverage.