Husband and wife, ages 92 and 93, die in murder-suicide at senior group home, police say

MESA, Ariz. (KPHO/Gray News) — A man shot and killed his wife before taking his own life at a senior group home in Arizona, according to the Mesa Police Department.

Mesa police were called to the senior center near Alma School and Guadalupe roads around 4:30 a.m. Thursday.

Staff members reported that two residents had been shot and were not breathing.

When officers arrived, they were led to a bedroom and found Jerome Woolums, 92, and Katharine Woolums, 93, both shot in the head.

Jerome Woolums, who police say was still holding a gun, died at the scene.

Authorities say Katharine Woolums had a pulse, so she was rushed to the hospital as Mesa firefighters attempted to save her life. However, she died at the hospital.

Investigators believe Jerome Woolums shot his wife before turning the gun on himself.

Detectives say the couple had been married for many years and were living at the facility to receive medical care.

A motive behind the shooting remains under investigation.