Elderly couple killed in apparent murder-suicide at care facility in Mesa

PHOENIX — An elderly couple was killed in an apparent murder-suicide early Thursday morning at a care facility in Mesa, authorities announced.

Officers responded to the care facility near Alma School and Guadalupe roads around 4 a.m. after being called about two residents who had been shot and were not breathing, according to the Mesa Police Department.

At the scene, officers were directed to a bedroom, where a married couple, identified as 92-year-old Jerome Woolums and 93-year-old Katharine Woolums, were found with gunshot wounds to the head, police said.

Jerome Woolums was pronounced dead at the scene and was found holding a gun, according to police.

Katharine Woolums was alive when officers arrived and was taken to a nearby hospital. However, she later died from her injuries, police added.

Mesa police said evidence shows that Jerome Woolums shot his wife and then died by suicide.

The department said the couple lived at the care facility, where they received medical care.

No other information was released.

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