Police responded to domestic call a month before shootings that killed three
St. Charles police say they responded to a report of domestic trouble involving a husband and wife about a month before the man and the couple's twin daughters were found shot to death Friday.
Kane County Coroner Rob Russell identified those who died in the downtown St. Charles condominium as Brittany S. Coffland, 16; Tiffany S. Coffland, 16; and their father, Randall R. Coffland, 48.
Police identified the surviving mother as Anjum S. Coffland, 46, who was in stable condition at Delnor Hospital in Geneva.
Anjum and Randall were married but living at separate addresses at the time of Friday's shooting, according to police. Records show officers responded to a report of domestic trouble Feb. 9 on the 100 block of South 5th Avenue in St. Charles. “Nothing physical happened” in that instance, police said in a statement.
St. Charles authorities declined to release the Feb. 9 report Saturday or to say who they believe fired the shots on Friday, or what the motive might have been.
Mourners placed flowers, candles and messages throughout the day Saturday on a bench outside the condominium building on the 400 block of South 1st Street where the girls and their father died in the shootings. Three wooden crosses with the names of the girls and their father were in front of the bench.
St. Charles East cheerleaders Antonia Galla and Tatianna Lerario, both juniors, prayed in front of the memorial at the condo and remembered the twins who were their classmates at St. Charles East High School.
Galla and Lerario said they saw the girls at school Friday and that they seemed happy as usual.
“We just admired them every single day,” Lerario said. “They were such amazing people. They had such innocent souls. They did not deserve anything like this to happen to them at all. You see them and they just instantly put a smile on your face. They made you feel like everything is good.”
Brittany was a St. Charles East cheerleader. Tiffany worked at a pet store and was remembered by friends for having a passion for animals.
Galla said Brittany was a close friend.
“She's a really bright girl,” Galla said. “She keeps that energy going with everyone. She is encouraging. She never lets people feel discouraged. She'll always tell you to keep going.”
Galla said she was shocked by the shooting because the Coffland family always appeared happy when she visited.
“I guess you really don't know what happens on the inside,” Lerario added. “No one does.”
According to her LinkedIn profile, Anjum Coffland has worked as a claims adjuster at MetLife in Aurora since September 2015 and previously was deputy recorder of Kendall County.
Randy Coffland was the IT network manager at law firm Much Shelist, P.C. in Chicago since January 2013 and before that worked as the IT manager of Prince Castle in Carol Stream, according to LinkedIn.
Property records show the couple moved into the St. Charles condo in 2015, selling a house in Oswego. Before that, they had lived in Carol Stream.
St. Charles Deputy Police Chief David Kintz said officers went to the condo complex in response to several 911 calls — including one from inside the condo — about shots fired.
Authorities said Randy Coffland and the two girls were found dead and Anjum Coffland injured when officers entered the condo.
Outside the condo on Saturday, copies of Bible verses were taped to the wall as part of the memorial.
Another sign informed people that counselors were available at St. Charles East for any community members who needed assistance.
Police and paramedics were among those feeling the pain.
“This is very difficult for the first responders to work with,” Kintz said.
St. Charles Mayor Ray Rogina issued a statement saying what happened in his city was “a horrific personal tragedy.”
“Being the close-knit community we are, an incident of this nature has impact beyond the immediate family,” Rogina said. “We think about and pray for the extended family which includes relatives, high school students and other friends. We also pray for the greater community, all of us, that we will stand tall and provide calm and peace at such a tragic moment.”
•Daily Herald Staff Writer Eric Peterson contributed.