Sheriff: Murder-Suicide Discovery 'One of My Harder Days'

Sheriff Duane Piper thanked the Forsyth County community for its support and response after an apparent murder-suicide Wednesday. Three victims were killed, as well as the alleged shooter, who police believe took his own life.

The fatal victims have been identified as a mother and her two children: Rebecca Manning, 37, Jacob Smith, 9, and Jared Smith, 8. Jerry Manning, 75, is being treated for multiple gunshot wounds.

Matthew Fields, 32, is the alleged shooter, according to police. He was found dead at the home from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to police.

In a letter on Facebook, Sheriff Piper noted that many comments from community members included blessing for the victims and their family, as well as for deputies and first responders that worked throughout the day at the scene.

“Yes, today was tragic and one of my harder days as a law enforcement leader, but as I read the comments of the people praying for my deputies it lifted me up to know how supportive and caring OUR community is during a time of tragedy,” he wrote.

Piper offered his own thanks to the deputies, 911 operators, first responders and Georgia State Patrol that worked the incident, along with his prayers for the victims and their families.

“We can’t prevent all tragedies, but we can control what happens after an event like this occurs,” he wrote. “Every time we experience a high profile event, it seems our community grows closer and we all work together to get through it.”