Before killing himself, a man allegedly shot his wife, five children, and mother-in-law.

Officers in Utah reported that Michael Haight, 42, shot his wife Tausha, 40, a few weeks after she requested a divorce.

Before shooting himself on Wednesday, he is also suspected of killing their three daughters, aged 7, 12, and 17, their two sons, aged 4 and 7, and Mrs. Haight’s mother Gail Earl, 78.

After 20 years of marriage, Mrs. Haight filed for divorce from him on December 21.

Jackson Ames, the police chief for the city of Enoch, revealed Wednesday that authorities had visited the residence in recent years due to a domestic disturbance.

He may not have been motivated by his wife’s divorce, according to the police.

Mrs. Haight had not indicated any concern that her husband would physically harm her, according to James Park, the attorney who represented Mrs. Haight in the divorce proceeding.

Yesterday, neighbours in the 8,000-person hamlet gathered outside the property to pray and sing hymns.

After the “tragic massacre,” President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden said they were “mourning with the Enoch City, Utah community.”
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“Five more children have lost their life in a mass shooting in Enoch City less than one month after we marked 10 years since the Sandy Hook tragedy,” the White House statement added.

According to neighbours, the family is engaged in the Mormon community and is “extremely inviting,” according to KSL, a local news site.

Jennie Earl, Mrs. Haight’s sister-in-law, said on Facebook that she pushed “very hard” to become the kids’ favourite aunt.

I pray that the love of Christ will mend our shattered hearts and fill us with forgiveness and peace, she continued.

“Many of us have served with them in church, in the community, and in school,” said Rob Dotson, city manager of the Enoch City Corporation.

“At the moment, this community is in pain. They are in anguish, feeling a sense of loss, and have many questions.

The local school system for the kids noted that they might access crisis intervention teams.

“We are grieved by the loss to our school community,” the Iron County School District wrote in a statement. “We will make every attempt to help you and your kid as needed.”