MUNDELEIN, IL - Authorities have released the identities of the five people found fatally shot inside a home on Sunday night, October 18, in what police believe to be a murder-suicide.
The Lake County Coroner's Office identified the individuals as: 80-year-old James Schmidt, 77-year-old Rebecca Schmidt, 22-year-old Maclaine Schmidt; 37-year-old Nichole Heiser, and 51-year-old Bryan Schmidt. Police say Bryan Schmidt was the son of James and Rebecca. Nicole Heiser was his girlfriend and Maclaine was their son.
All of them were found dead inside a home in the 200 block of Wellington Avenue after police responded to a well-being check at around 11:45 p.m., ABC7 reported. Police are investigating the incident as a murder-suicide. They believe Bryan Schmidt shot his parents, his son and girlfriend, before turning the gun on himself.
Neighbor Sam Escobedo says he believes he heard what could have been gunshots much earlier Sunday, just before noon. "We heard firecrackers. Didn't pay much attention to it; thought it was kids or something," Escobedo said.
Neighbors said the couple who lived in the home were retired veterinarians. The wife was someone who would take regular walks in the neighborhood and was beloved by those who knew her, they said.
"She was a spry, retired veterinarian," a neighbor said. "She was a friendly person. She'd wave to people. She'd have conversations with all kinds of neighbors... I'm horrified. I'm horrified that this would happen to somebody and somebody that I knew." Rosa Bernel said she works at a clinic the couple once owned. "Very nice people; the best bosses I had in my whole life," Bernel said.
Two handguns were discovered at the scene, according to PEOPLE. The Mundelein Police Department is investigating the incident with the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force. The community has rallied together and left flowers and candle tributes for the family at the scene.
Officials say there is no threat to the public as the shooting appears to be an isolated incident. Anybody with additional information relating to the incident is asked to contact the Mundelein Police Department at 847-968-4600.
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