Police: 4 relatives dead in shooting at Indiana home

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA/Gray News) - The Allen County Coroner’s Office said a 20-year-old shot his mother, father and sister before taking his own life Monday night.

The coroner identified the relatives as 50-year-old Mark A. Long, 45-year-old Lisa Renee Long, and 15-year-old Mahala Long. All three died by gunshot wounds, and their deaths were ruled a homicide.

Officials said the shooter is 20-year-old Samuel Mason Long, the son and brother of the victims. They said he died by suicide.

Police first responded to the ranch-style home around 9 p.m. Monday after they received calls of shots fired inside a house.

Allen County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Troy Hershberger confirmed to WPTA that a woman who was in a different area of the home when the shooting happened was able to escape and call for help.

He said the investigation noted that there were many weapons in the home. Officials believe they were legally obtained. He noted that there were no signs of forced entry into the home and currently has no indication of a motive.

Hershberger also said there’s no indication of a criminal history for anyone involved.

The modest home was decorated for Christmas, with a lighted tree visible through the front window. Holiday bows were placed on the front door. Several cars were in the driveway.

One neighbor said that he worried for others living on the rural road.

“It is very shocking to us,” he said. “We have a lot of friends who live down through there so your first instinct is, is it someone you know? We’ve had a lot of people call and ask us if we’re OK.”

A contingent of police and other first responders remained at the home into the early morning hours as investigators processed the scene.

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