BROKEN ARROW, Okla. — Broken Arrow police believe a 17-year old boy killed his 14-year old sister in a murder-suicide at the family's home.
Officers responded to a call near 111th and Aspen a little before 2:00 p.m. Feb 11. about a possible murder-suicide. They found two siblings dead inside the home. Officers believe the 17-year-old killed his sister and took his own life.
Broken Arrow police told 2 News the family found them. It is not known if the family was at home when this occurred or if they discovered the scene after arriving home.
2 News' Alexandra Blake talked to Broken Arrow police about the incident, "It's unusual, it's very unfortunate, obviously a domestic violence situation, something like this happens, it affects the community and obviously the family involved."
Gary Crittenden, a neighbor of the family, spoke with 2 News about the family.
“We didn't see them an awful lot. But if they were anything like their mother and dad were, they were good kids," Crittenden said. "Because their mother and dad are just great, wonderful neighbors. You couldn't ask for better.”
Broken Arrow Public Schools confirmed to 2 News both victims attended school in the district. Through a partnership with Family & Children's Services, specialized grief counselors were on hand Monday for the first school day after the deaths.
"Right now what we're doing for the school is providing what we call 'psychological first aid'," FCS School-Based Services Director of Programming Faith Crittenden told 2 News.
"Anytime something traumatic happens and they need additional support, they call us and we go out and support them...Our whole goal is just to help be there, be a listening ear, reduce the stress of the situation, and help kids and teachers and just the Broken Arrow community kind of try to wrap their heads around what has happened."
Crittenden said she's noticed an increase in violent deaths involving children and teens in recent years, underscoring the need for more school-based counseling.
"It's really difficult to wrap your head around some of the tragedies, but that's why it's so important for us to reach out and help because we're not in the middle of it and we can come support them while they're trying to shoulder all of that," she said.
The medical examiner will determine cause of death.
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