Father, 53, is shot dead by Phoenix police after battering his wife, 46, and son, 13, to death before asking a neighbor if he could borrow their gun to kill himself
A man was shot dead by police in Arizona last month after he killed his wife and teen son before knocking on his neighbor's door and asking if he could borrow a gun to kill himself with.
The deadly incident unfolded in Phoenix on October 25 after officers responded to reports of a domestic violence situation just after 10:05pm at a home near Interstate 17 and Jomax.
Police were alerted to the scene by a neighbor of Paul Sarver, who told a 911 operator that the 53-year-old father had just come over to his home with his daughter, 11, and asked to borrow a gun.
The neighbor, who wasn't named by police, said Sarver also made repeated threats that he was going to kill himself.
Sarver left his neighbor's home empty handed, but told them to look after his daughter and keep her safe before returning to his residence alone.
Police then received a second call, this time from Sarver, who was heard telling an operator. 'Um, we just need police bad.'
While the operator repeatedly asked 'What's bad?' and if anyone was hurt, Sarver simply responded, 'what's going on is really bad.'
Inside the home and found Sarver's wife Shannon Hursh, 46, and his 13-year-old son Caden Sarver, critically injured. They had both suffered blunt force trauma and were later pronounced dead
s they were approaching Sarver's home, he emerged from behind a parked vehicle in the driveway, telling the cops he had a gun. He was shot dead at the scene
Two officers from the Phoenix Police Department responded to the scene. As they were approaching Sarver's home, he emerged from behind a parked vehicle in the driveway, telling the cops he had a gun.
'Stay down get that weapon down,' an officer is heard commanding him in the bodycam footage of the incident.
Sarver then extended the object out in front of him and pointed it at the officers, who then opened fire on him.
The officers rendered aid until EMTs arrived but the 53-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.
A black hard-shell eyeglasses case was used as a simulated weapon and was found next to Sarver, according to police.
Officers then went inside the home and found Sarver's wife Shannon Hursh, 46, and his 13-year-old son Caden Sarver, critically injured.
Both were badly bleeding with blunt force trauma and were rushed to hospital in 'extremely critical condition'.
Hursh died in hospital hours after arriving. Caden remained in a critical condition for several days until he too tragically succumbed to his injuries on October 30.
Sarver's 11-year-old daughter was unharmed in the incident. It's unclear if she witnessed Sarver murder her mother and brother before being taken over to the neighbor's home.
Sarver's 11-year-old daughter was unharmed in the incident. It's unclear if she witnessed the homicide before being taken over to the neighbor's home
A black hard-shell eyeglasses case was used as a simulated weapon and was found next to Sarver, according to police
Officers then went inside the home and found Sarver's wife Shannon Hursh, 46, and his 13-year-old son Caden Sarver, critically injured
As an investigation into the deadly incident continues, neighbors of the couple have revealed their shock over what happened.
'We found out it was one of our neighbors going door to door looking for a gun,' Laurie Abels told Fox 10. 'He did not come here, but he did go to some other neighbors saying he wanted to kill himself, that he hurt his wife and son.'
'It just goes to show you don’t know what’s going on in other people’s houses,' Abels continued. 'He must’ve had a lot of problems, I wish he would’ve reached out in a different way.'
Blake Peters, meanwhile said: 'You would see them walk their kids to the bus stop, she would socialize with other moms, the dad was more of the stricter parents.'
Close friends of Shannon Hursh said Sarver struggled with mental health issues and that she had planned to get him help.
'She lived for her kids, and she lived to give them the happiest life that she could,' Lindsay Kennedy said of Hursh.
As an investigation into the deadly incident continues, neighbors of the couple have revealed their shock over what happened
Close friends of Shannon Hursh said Sarver struggled with mental health issues and that she had planned to get him help (The Sarver family home pictured above)
A GoFundMe page set up by grieving family members described Hursh as an 'amazing mother and friend who was valued and loved beyond measure.'
'Her presence and life is already truly missed by many,' the tribute continued. 'She loved her kids more then words can describe and did everything she could for them.'
An update on the page, posted October 30, confirmed Caden's passing.
'Caden has passed away peacefully after saying goodbye to his wonderful sister, his grandma, and his cousin,' the message reads. 'He gets to see his mother and dogs in Heaven. He’s looking down on us, and already playing pranks on us as he always would.'
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