Bucks Co. Mom Wrote Will, Left Note Before Shooting Sons; Murder Charges Added: DA

NEWTOWN, PA — Officials have charged a 38-year-old woman with murder after her two sons died of gunshot wounds, the Bucks County District Attorney said.

Trinh T. Nguyen of Upper Makefield Township is accused of shooting her children, nine-year-old Nelson Tini and 13-year-old Jeffrey Tini, in the head Monday in their beds. They died Friday at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, according to DA Matt Weintraub.

Weintraub said Nguyen planned to kill the boys at least a week before the shooting May 2, and left a "handwritten will dated April 25, 2022." Nguyen faces first-degree murder charges, Weintraub said.

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“I have been praying for these boys and their surviving family for days,” Weintraub said. “I am so sad to hear of their passing. This defendant’s murder of two of her sons is unconscionable and horrific. We will do what needs to be done to seek justice for all of them."

Nguyen also faces charges of attempted homicide, possession of an instrument of crime and possession of a controlled substance, Weintraub said.

Jeffrey and Nelson were Council Rock School District students.

Police were called to Nguyen's home on Timber Ridge Road around 7 a.m. after reports that she shot at a neighbor whom she is related to by marriage. The neighbor, 22, told police that she handed him a box of photographs and asked him to give it to her ex-husband before pointing a black revolver at his face and pulling the trigger twice.

After her gun didn't fire, the man "engaged Nguyen, wrapping her in a bear hug and eventually disarming her," according to the criminal complaint filed by police. The man noted the gun had multiple round inside, the criminal complaint said. Nguyen left the area in her van, Weintraub said.

At that point, police entered the home to find her children.

"Upon entry, both boys were found still alive, but in their beds with gunshot wounds to their heads," Weintraub said.

They were brought to St. Mary Medical Center and later transported to Children's in Philly.

"Both children will give the gift of life to others, as their organs will be transplanted," Weintraub said in a news conference.

Weintraub said Nguyen was taken into custody at Washington Crossing United Methodist Church on Monday around 11:30 a.m. after those at the church notified law enforcement that the van was parked there.

"She claimed to have traveled to New Jersey to obtain narcotics, which she ingested in an attempt to kill herself, according to a criminal complaint," Weintraub's office said. "She added that she had not used drugs in the past, the complaint says."

She was brought to St. Mary Medical Center as she was believed to be under the influence of drugs, he said.

According to a criminal complaint, officers found .38 caliber ammunition, several packets of suspected heroin (both empty and full packets), "swabs of suspected blood," and a note that read "Please call 911! My children are dead in their bed at *** Timber Ridge Rd, 18940."

Detectives learned Nguyen had been given an eviction notice on Tuesday, May 3, according to Weintraub.

She has been incarcerated at Bucks County Correctional Facility without bail, Weintraub said.