Maryland Dad Kills Son, Daughter Before Killing Himself In Double Murder-Suicide: Police

GLENELG, MD — A Maryland dad shot his two teenage children to death before turning his shotgun on himself inside the home they shared late Sunday night, Howard County police said.

Officers responded to the Triadelphia Road home in Glenelg just before 11 p.m. for a welfare check and found the three dead, police said, adding that a preliminary investigation found that Christopher Zanski, 42, had shot and killed his children, Braden Zanski, 17, and Hailey Zanski, 15, and then shot and killed himself.

There are no indications that anyone else was involved in the incident, and the motive is unknown, police said.

The teens were students at Glenelg High School, district officials told 11 News.

In a message to parents and guardians, the school's Principal Shawn Hastings-Hauf, said he had
"some very sad information to share with you," saying that Braden was in the 11th grade and Hailey, the 10th, and that there will be a range of support in place for the community, WBAL-TV reported.

"When we return to school, our teachers will share this sad news with students at the beginning of their first-period classes," the statement read. "During these guided discussions, we will give the students an opportunity to ask questions, validate their feelings and reactions, identify coping strategies, and share information on additional resources available at school in the coming days. Members of our Student Services Staff and the HCPSS Crisis Intervention Team will be available for any students who need individual assistance. A counselor will contact the parent of any student who accesses individual support this week."

"The death of any member of our school community is a loss, and the unexpected deaths of two of our students, who are siblings, is especially difficult to understand or accept," it continued. "Both students and adults may struggle with managing their feelings and reactions to this news. Even if your child did not know Hailey or Braden, they may be impacted by this sad news. Feelings of anger, hurt, guilt, and sadness are natural."

If you are having suicidal thoughts, dial 988 for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.