Megan Saunders: 29-Year-Old Mother Killed In Murder-Suicide
Police in Dover Township, Pennsylvania, say that a 29-year-old woman was shot and killed in her home and the gunman held authorities at bay for several hours before taking his own life in what authorities are saying was a murder-suicide.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, September 14, 2023, when authorities said they had been talking to a suspect inside a Dover home who was making threats toward himself and the woman inside.
According to the Northern York County Regional Police Department, 29-year-old Megan Saunders had a protective order issued against 31-year-old Devon C. Elias. The two also shared a child, according to TV station Fox 43 and were involved in a testy custody battle.
According to the York Dispatch, one of the final Baltimore County circuit court notes posted online about the custody case says: “Case not resolved. Trial date is set as specified.”
After hearing a final gunshot, police entered the home and found the body of Saunders on a staircase. She had been shot multiple times with a stolen .38 caliber pistol, according to police. In an upstairs bedroom, officers found the body of Elias. It is believed that Elias entered Saunders’ home and fatally shot her before shooting himself in the head with a .22 caliber gun.
"We have to take into account the wellbeing of a potential hostage or victim, and once gunfire starts that then becomes an active situation. Officers are trained to make immediate entry to try to save life, and unfortunately in this case that didn’t happen and it didn’t matter," Northern York County Regional Police Department Chief David Lash.
"Nothing like this happens here. We are a very close-knit community. We all help each other out and work together," a neighbor Kelly Bebout said to Fox 43. "This is stuff you see on the news, not in your neighborhood.”
The evil scourge of domestic violence continues to plague the lives of black women in this country.
The Guardian reports that four black women/girls are murdered every day in the United States.If we omit the fatalities, multiple scientific studies have concluded that black women endure higher rates of murder, rape, racism and domestic abuse.
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A VICTIM!
Read the warning signs of a hurtful relationship.
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts or practicing self-harm, contact the the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) any time. Online live chat is also available. Crisis Text Line also provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741. If you are experiencing domestic abuse, for assistance, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.
