Two boys, ages 13 and 16, and mother shot and killed by father in murder/suicide

Christopher Peterson, age 13

The Peterson family of Herdon, Virginia, seemed like a normal family to their neighbors.  Then 57-year old Albert Peterson apparently snapped and shot his family to death before taking his own life.  Killed were his two sons, Christopher, age 13, and Matthew, age 16, and his wife, Kathleen.

From an article:

Relatives and friends mourned the family and struggled to come to terms with what had happened. Neighbors, who said they hadn’t noticed anything out of the ordinary in recent weeks, said that the four often sat on their porch and grilled on a barbecue and that the sons played soccer in the front yard. 

At Westfield High on Wednesday morning, dozens of students linked hands in an impromptu memorial. Some at the school wore black shirts, and others posted remembrances on Twitter. One read: “matt rode my bus and I never paid much attention to him. really wish I did now.” 

Matthew Peterson, age 16

Matt Peters, 16, who knew Matthew Peterson from a church youth group, described him as a “funny kid” who always had a joke and a good attitude.

On Wednesday evening, hundreds of people came to a candlelight vigil at Floris United Methodist Church, where the family had attended services. Mourners sang “Amazing Grace” and wept.

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Randall Alter, a neighbor who said he has known the Petersons for about 28 years and attended their wedding and their sons’ baptisms, said Albert Peterson stopped by his house Saturday night. 

His friend, Alter said, seemed “morose.” 

“He was worried about everything,” Alter said. “He felt the economy was going in the wrong direction. He was worried about politics. He couldn’t shake things.” 

Still, he said, Peterson often seemed negative and Alter never imagined what was to come. He said Peterson had not mentioned any family disputes or financial problems. 

Alter said he walked his dog about 3 a.m. Monday and noticed that the lights were on in the Peterson house and garage. About an hour later, he said, he and his wife heard a muffled bang. 

Officer Don Gotthardt, a county police spokesman, said detectives were still unraveling a motive. He said the Petersons were seen alive as late as 5 p.m. Sunday. 

On Tuesday morning, police said, co-workers of one parent called police and said the parent didn’t show up for work Monday or Tuesday. Officers went to the home and found the family dead.

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