Carroll County investigators believe a man killed his two children before turning the gun on himself.
Deputies were sent to a home near Temple to conduct a welfare check on a man who didn’t show up for work, according to Chief Deputy Brad Robinson with the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office. Inside the Willow Lane home, off Taylors Gin Road, deputies found the bodies of three family members.
Deputies believe Louis Garcia, 41, shot and killed Daniel Garcia, 13, and Kayla Garcia, 11, inside the family’s home. And the three may have been dead as early as Tuesday, according to police.
The children’s mother had been out of town for about two weeks, around the time deputies last responded to the home.
“I understand that there has been one report filed previously,” Chief Deputy Brad Robinson told Channel 2 Action News. “I’m not going to get a lot into that. I believe it was titled simple assault.”
Kayla attended Temple Elementary School and Daniel was a student at Temple Middle School, and grief counselors were at both schools Friday.
"As you know, this will be devastating for our students, faculty and staff," Temple Elementary posted on its website. "There will be a crisis management team and counselors to work with our children and families in the days to come."
Friday afternoon, students gathered on the football field at Temple Middle School, where the children’s older brother spoke, Channel 2 reported. Students then released balloons — blue and white for school colors — into the sky.
A candlelight memorial will be held at field today at 6 p.m. A memorial fund has been set up at the Bank of North Georgia in Temple for Daniel and Kayla Garcia. Donations can be made by calling 770-562-3278 or by visiting any Bank of North Georgia branch.
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