Authorities in Chester, Virginia, say a local youth pastor murdered three members of his family on Thanksgiving.
According to WTVR, 58-year-old Christopher Gattis was arrested at the home where he and the three victims had lived.
He is accused of shooting Jeanett Gattis, 58, Candice Kunze, 30, Andrew Buthorn, 36, identified as his wife, her daughter, and her daughter’s boyfriend, respectively, ABC News reported.
Neighbors say Kunze and Buthorn had moved into the home with the Gattises about six weeks ago, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
The two female victims were found inside the residence while Buthorn’s body was in the front yard.
According to Chesterfield Police Sgt. P.H. Zoffuto, the “incident appears to be domestic related.”
Gattis is facing three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of using a firearm during a felony. As of the latest reports available, he is being held without bond at Chesterfield County Jail.
Neighbors described the suspect as friendly and expressed shock at the apparent disturbance within the family.
One deacon at Grace Lutheran Church, where Gattis was employed as a youth pastor, called him an “excellent man.”
He had been at the church earlier Thursday for a Thanksgiving meal, another member said.
A church statement expressed sadness and asked for prayers as the congregation deals with the loss.
“Grace Lutheran Church has experienced many hardships over the years, but this heartbreak has unique challenges,” the statement read.
Youth pastor brutally murders his family after Thanksgiving dinner: Cops
According to WTVR, 58-year-old Christopher Gattis was arrested at the home where he and the three victims had lived.
He is accused of shooting Jeanett Gattis, 58, Candice Kunze, 30, Andrew Buthorn, 36, identified as his wife, her daughter, and her daughter’s boyfriend, respectively, ABC News reported.
Neighbors say Kunze and Buthorn had moved into the home with the Gattises about six weeks ago, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
The two female victims were found inside the residence while Buthorn’s body was in the front yard.
According to Chesterfield Police Sgt. P.H. Zoffuto, the “incident appears to be domestic related.”
Gattis is facing three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of using a firearm during a felony. As of the latest reports available, he is being held without bond at Chesterfield County Jail.
Neighbors described the suspect as friendly and expressed shock at the apparent disturbance within the family.
One deacon at Grace Lutheran Church, where Gattis was employed as a youth pastor, called him an “excellent man.”
He had been at the church earlier Thursday for a Thanksgiving meal, another member said.
A church statement expressed sadness and asked for prayers as the congregation deals with the loss.
“Grace Lutheran Church has experienced many hardships over the years, but this heartbreak has unique challenges,” the statement read.
Youth pastor brutally murders his family after Thanksgiving dinner: Cops
