Lake Station Police discovered five people dead during a welfare check Friday afternoon.
At around 2:44 p.m. February 21, officers were sent to a home in the 6700 block of 9th Avenue for a welfare check, according to a release on the Lake Station Police Department’s social media page. After securing a search warrant, officers found five bodies in the residence in Mansard du Lac mobile home park, the release said.
According to a release from the Lake County Coroner’s Office, Briana Payne, 27, Aurorah Payne, 7, Ava Payne, 6, and Alayna Payne, 4, were all shot to death in an apparent homicide.
Robert Payne, 31, suffered a fatal gunshot wound, but the manner of his death was listed as pending, the release stated.
Per Coroner David Pastrick the manner of death for Robert Payne has been updated to reflect suicide. He would also like to issue a heartfelt statement regarding this tragedy:
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“On behalf of Lake County Coroner David Pastrick and the entire staff of the Lake County Coroner’s Office, our hearts go out to the family of this extremely unfortunate and devastating tragedy. Please hold your families and loved ones close as we mourn together as a community the loss of innocence.”
Lake Station Superintendent Tom Cripliver confirmed the children attended Bailey Elementary.
He said counselors and a therapist will be at the school Monday to talk with students and staff.
“We are all devastated by the heartbreaking loss of two Bailey Elementary School students, Ava and Aurorah Payne, and their family this past week,” school officials said in a statement sent out to the district community. “These deaths have brought great sorrow to our community and impacted many at our schools. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those who are grieving during this incredibly difficult time.”
The district’s crisis intervention team is ready to provide support and includes professional counselors on staff who can provide counseling services to students and teachers in the coming week, officials said. The district will offer individual or group counseling in private spaces for those in need.
“As a school community, we are here for each other, and we will face this challenging time together with compassion and care,” district officials said, adding they are sensitive to the privacy of those grieving and “are leaving the investigation in the hands of local law enforcement.”
In a statement, Lake Station Mayor Bill Carroll called it “the worst information that anyone can hear, and it is heartbreaking to know that members of our community are going to suffer and continue to face the repercussions of such a tragedy.
“I assure you Lake Station will do our utmost to bring everything we can to the front and in the public eye.
“I truly hope that those affected will receive the support from this community that they undoubtedly need and I promise that the Lake Station administration will provide all of the support we are capable of.
“Please keep these people and families in all of your thoughts and prayers.”
A preliminary investigation indicates the incident is isolated, and there’s no threat to the public, police said.
Police said that more information would be released as police get more information.
Anyone with more information should contact Captain S. Peek at [email protected].
Carole Carlson and Michelle L. Quinn are freelance reporters for the Post-Tribune.