US-based Nigerian pharmacist, Olasunkanmi Esho has shot his Cameroonian wife, Bourk, and eight-year-old daughter, Olivia, dead before committing suicide.
According to the Chicago Tribune, the incident occurred at an apartment on 75th Street, Farmingdale Drive, Chicago, Illinois, where neighbours reported several shots being fire.
It was not immediately clear if Esho, 42, had any disagreement with his 33-year-old wife before the incident.
But Darien Police Commander, Gerald Piccoli, confirmed that the trio died from gunshot wounds around 1pm on Sunday.
Esho reportedly killed his wife and daughter before turning the gun on himself.
A friend of the family, Djeric Lemessi, wrote on Facebook: “Nigerian pharmacist in Chicago shot his Cameroonian wife, their eight-year-old daughter and committed suicide. They are survived by their 13-year-old son and four-year-old daughter.
“This happened yesterday (Sunday) morning in Chicago. The eight-year-old died in the arms of the 13-year-old, who heard gunshots and went to call his mom that he had heard gunshots outside, not knowing that their dad had shot their mom.
“He saw his sister in a pool of blood, carried her to seek help only for her to die in his arms; horrible story. The wife’s parents are from Guzang – Mr and Mrs Mudoh. Good friends of mine.”
Lawrence Willis, a friend of Bourk, said she was a student of his at Chicago State University and a former employee of St. Bernard Hospital and University of Illinois Chicago.
She worked at the health information management department at University of Illinois before the tragic incident.
Th couple is survived by two children.