LINCOLN COUNTY, Mo. — Three people died in an apparent murder-suicide in Lincoln County Wednesday night, according to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office.
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office Capt. David Hill said the shooting occurred at around 8:15 p.m. in the 2500 block of Highway W.
According to Hill, two people died and a third had to be airlifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. The third person died at the hospital.
On Thursday, the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office identified the victims as Lauren Jennings Foland, 38, and her father, 72-year-old Scott Preston Causey.
The suspected shooter was identified as 56-year-old Phillip Lee Foland, Lauren Jennings Foland's husband. Police said Phillip died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after being airlifted to a nearby hospital.
Police are ruling the incident an apparent murder-suicide.
Lauren and Phillip's four children were inside the home at the time of the shooting, police said. They are between the ages of 1 and 16.
The children are safe and in protective custody, according to police.
Deputies are hoping the children can help figure out the motive behind this shooting.
"The children hold the answers to a lot about what happened in the household," Lincoln County Sheriff Rick Harrell said. "That is the advantage that we have. Without the children's point of view, we would know very little. We are looking now, did we miss any warning signs as a community? You think about what could've been done to prevent this."
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