advertisement

Suspect in family killing threatened 'big boom' in 2009

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Records show the man suspected of killing three members of an Ohio family was investigated six years ago for threatening a mass shooting.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol records say Barry Kirk threatened the shooting after getting upset with an employee at the Ohio governor's office in 2009.

The records obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press say Kirk became angry because the employee couldn't help him with an unemployment claim and threatened to make "a big boom" or begin shooting people.

Columbus police say Kirk fatally shot a husband and wife and their 7-year-old son and wounded their 12-year-old daughter Monday night.

Three police officers shot and killed the 50-year-old Kirk moments later after a short chase.

Records show Kirk pleaded guilty to telephone harassment in the 2009 case.

Police block off an area after a fatal shooting on Monday, Nov. 23, 2015, in Columbus, Ohio. The suspect was shot by officers after a short chase outside the house where the shootings happened, Columbus police said. (AP Photo/Andrew Welsh-Huggins) The Associated Press
A crowd gathers in an alley east of Terrance Ave. South in west Columbus, Ohio where multiple shootings occurred Monday, Nov. 23, 2015. A man shot and killed a couple and their 7-year-old son and wounded their 12-year-old daughter in a home Monday before being shot and killed by police responding to the scene, Columbus police said. (Eric Albrecht/The Columbus Dispatch via AP) The Associated Press
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.