Family of Murder-Suicide Victims in Fleming Island Speaks Out

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. -- The father of a woman who lost her two children and husband in a murder-suicide this morning has released a statement saying there are "no words to describe this loss."

Police responded to a 911 call at 6:10 this morning on the 2900 block of Grande Oaks Way in the Margaret's Walk community of Fleming Island, said Clay County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Dan Mahla. Once inside, police found the three dead of gunshot wounds.

Police believe the father, Jerry Whitelaw Jr., 49, is the shooter, Mahla said. Kevin Whitelaw, 16, and Katie Whitelaw, 11, also were shot to death. Their mother, Dana, was in the shower at the time of the shooting; Mahla said it is likely the children were asleep at the time of their deaths.

The statement released this afternoon by Dana Whitelaw's father, William "Mac" McGauley thanks the communities of both the children's' schools for their "incredible outpouring of love, support, and prayers for my family."

Kevin was a junior at St. Johns Country Day in Orange Park. Counselors are on hand to assist students if needed. Katie attended Grace Episcopal.

Those schools broke the news of the fatal shootings to students with grief counselors on hand.

"A profound sense of loss and a great deal of pain," said Country Day headmaster Greg Foster, who declined to speak specifically about Kevin.

Rector Kurt Dunkle said Grace Episcopal in Orange Park is pulling together as family. Dana Whitelaw was a secretary at the school.

"Our prayers are with the entire family. In times like this it is only God that you can rely on who will be there to pick up the pieces," said Dunkle.

There is a prayer service planned for 6 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church.

Mahla described the murder-suicide scene as one of the most gruesome crime scenes he has seen; there are two shooting scenes in the house.

Police are not revealing the number of gun shots, where the victims were shot or where they were found, according to a statement from Mary Justino, CCSO public information officer.

"There are no words to describe this loss. The enormity of this tragedy cannot be absorbed in such a short period of time. The grief we feel is overwhelming and so we ask for and appreciate your patience as we make the necessary arrangements to lay our family members to rest," the statement from McGauley said.

The couple had been married for more than 16 years but  filed for divorce this summer. The CCSO has not been called to the location before. The couple filed for divorce in February 1997 in Duval County, but withdrew the petition several months later.

Some neighbors that new the family were stunned by the tragedy. "They were like loving parents. They were always outside playing ball and everything," said neighbor Ashley Gann. "It's crazy. I was in total shock. I would have had no idea."

The family's next of kin have been notified. Kevin and Katie are the 10th and 11th homicide victims in Clay County this year, said Justino.

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