PORT HURON, Mich. (WXYZ) — A 17-year-old boy was killed, and a 13-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl were injured after a shooting at an apartment in Port Huron early Thursday morning.
Watch Ruta Ulcinaite's video report:
According to the Port Huron Police Department, a 44-year-old suspect, the father of the victims, is in custody without incident.
The 13-year-old and 12-year-old were taken to Detroit-area hospitals and remain in critical condition. Their names have not been released.
The 17-year-old boy who was killed has been identified as Kayleb Smerer by family members.
Jennifer Goddard, a neighbor who helped one of the kids after the shooting, spoke to 7 News Detroit Reporter Ruta Ulcinaite.
She said the 12-year-old came out of the house covered in blood, and encouraged medical personnel to check on his brother and sister.
"He said, 'My dad shot my brother and sister. My dad shot my brother and sister,'" Goddard told us.
Hear more from our interview with Jennifer in the video below
Goodard told us that the suspect eventually came out of the house and surrendered to police, saying, "It was me, I shot him. I shot him."
The shooting happened early Thursday morning at Glenview Gardens Apartments, located in the 2000 block of Glenview Court.
Watch the latest update from the police chief in the video below
Police said they were called to the apartment complex around 6:10 a.m. on a report of a shooting.
According to police, the father has provided investigators with details of the incident and remains in police custody. Police say they will be seeking criminal charges.
Police say that a 20-year-old son and the kids' mother were able to wrestle with the father and get the gun away from him, preventing anything further from happening.
In a letter addressed to families of Port Huron Schools, Superintendent Theo Kerhoulas and Holland Woods Middle School Principal Jillian Bertich said the following:
Early this morning, the Port Huron Police Department informed our District of an active domestic shooting incident near Holland Woods Middle School. They assured us that schools could safely open on schedule, as the suspect was already in custody.
We are deeply saddened to share that three of our students were injured during the incident. Tragically, one has passed (17 year old male) and the other two (13 and 12) are currently hospitalized in critical but stable condition. We will not release names until the police do.
School will remain in session today. We know many students would otherwise be home alone, and we believe it is best to keep them in an environment where we can provide support and care. We have the district social work and counseling teams on site to support our students. That said, families are welcome to sign their children out if they are able to and feel it is is best.
Later today, we will share guidance and resources to help families talk with their children during this difficult time.
Please keep our students and school community in your thoughts and prayers.
