Sheriff’s office release identities of murder-suicide victims

MADISON CO., Ala. (WAFF) - Update: The Madison County Sheriff’s Office has released new information on a murder-suicide that left two dead on Christmas Eve.

Deputies say 14-year-old Caleb Gardner and his father, 41-year-old Rodney Gardner, were involved in an argument before the shooting. An investigation into the tragic incident showed the 14-year-old shot the father with a handgun and then turned the gun on himself, according to MCSO.

Investigators say a woman in the home called the authorities after hearing the argument and gunshots and then waited outside for Deputies. Deputies say they entered the home and found both the father and son deceased in a bedroom.

The investigation is ongoing and there are no other details available at this time, according to the sheriff’s office.

Original: Two people were found dead after deputies responded to reports of shots fired and a barricade situation at a home in Madison County on Christmas Eve.

Deputies say a 16-year-old female called 911 after she says she heard her father and 14-year old brother arguing followed by the sound of gunshots. According to deputies with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, the two individuals were barricaded inside a home on Bermuda Lakes Drive in the Meridianville community around 11:30 a.m.

The call originally came in as a barricaded person but when deputies arrived they identified it as a domestic situation. Both victims remain unidentified as authorities work to notify family members.

“This is a tragedy. Anytime someone loses a life but have two family members lose their lives, especially on Christmas Eve,” said Chief Deputy Bates. “It is tragic for anyone to have to go through this or deal with this.”

This incident is being investigated as a murder-suicide.

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