Mother of two teens who were shot dead by her boyfriend after an argument about smoking in the house before turning gun on himself is arrested for negligent storage of the weapon used in the murder-suicide
The mother of two teens who were shot dead by her boyfriend after an argument about smoking in the house has been arrested for failing to secure the weapon that was used in the murder-suicide.
Danielle Jette, 41, was arrested and charged with criminally negligent storage of a firearm, risk of injury to a minor, and criminal liability for the acts of another/criminal possession of a firearm in connection to the deaths of her daughter and son in Watertown, Connecticut.
Jette's boyfriend Paul Ferguson, 42, shot and killed 15-year-old Della Jette and 16-year-old Sterling Jette Jr. in their home in December 2019 before turning the gun on himself in a crime that shocked the small community of just 3,350 people.
The murder-suicide took place three years after Jette's husband and the father of Della and Sterling shot himself dead inside the same home.
The tragedy unfolded on December 3, 2019 during a domestic dispute about Ferguson smoking cigarettes in the home on Litchfield Road, reported NBC Connecticut.
Police said Della had gone on a field trip to New York that day and when she returned she got into a conversation with her mother in the upstairs of the home saying she was unhappy about Ferguson smoking inside.
Ferguson had been dating Jette for two years but had moved into the home she shared with her children just two weeks earlier.
Ferguson was reportedly watching TV in the basement with Sterling at the time and overheard the conversation.
Jette's boyfriend Paul Ferguson, 42, shot and killed 15-year-old Della Jette (right) and 16-year-old Sterling Jette Jr. (right) in their home in December 2019
Ferguson (pictured) shot the two teens after an argument about him smoking in the house. He then turned the gun on himself
The 42-year-old went upstairs to confront Della telling her to 'quiet down' and not speak to her mother 'that way' when a 'dust up' broke out, police said.
At this point, Ferguson went into the bedroom and came back with a Glock handgun, police said.
Sterling reportedly tried to intervene and Ferguson shot him in the leg.
Jette told investigators she ran downstairs to call 911 when she heard another two gunshots.
Police said Ferguson had shot Della in the chest on the deck of the home before going back inside and shooting Sterling for a second time - this time in the chest.
Ferguson then shut himself in the bedroom where he turned the gun on himself.
Officers arrived on the scene to first find Ferguson's body in the master bedroom.
They then found Della on the deck and her brother Sterling between the kitchen and the living room.
Jette (pictured with the two teens) was arrested and charged with criminally negligent storage of a firearm, risk of injury to a minor, and criminal liability for the acts of another/criminal possession of a firearm
The murder-suicide took place three years after Jette's husband and the father of Della and Sterling shot himself dead inside the same home
Della and Sterling both died after being rushed to hospital with gunshot wounds
Both teens, who were students at Kaynor Technical High School in Waterbury, were rushed to Waterbury Hospital but they were pronounced dead from their injuries soon after arrival.
The shooting rocked the community of Watertown which held a candlelight vigil for the two teens and commemorated them in a light tribute this November.
Now, more than one year on from their deaths, the siblings' mom is facing charges for failing to secure the gun that was used to kill her own children.
Ferguson was a convicted felon so was not allowed to possess a firearm.
Police said Ferguson got the Glock handgun used in the slayings from a safe in the master bedroom and that he had access to the firearm.
His previous convictions included a larceny in the third degree charge in Naugatuck in February 2014.
He then failed to appear in April 2014 on this charge and was arrested the following month on charges of a probation violation and failure to appear.
Jette was released after being charged. She is due to appear in Waterbury Superior Court on March 16.
The tragedy unfolded on December 3 2019 during a domestic dispute at their home on Litchfield Road (above)
The shooting rocked the community of Watertown which held a candlelight vigil for the two teens and commemorated them in a light tribute this November
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