Crime & Safety

Victims Named In Apparent Murder-Suicide In North Richland Hills

Those killed Saturday in an apparent murder-suicide in North Richland Hills were identified as a 36-year-old father and his kids, 5 and 9.

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX — Police in North Richland Hills have released the names of the victims killed in an apparent murder-suicide that took place Saturday in the 7400 block of College Cir.

Police say Chris Dawson, 36, shot his two children before turning the gun on himself, the Dallas Morning News reported. The children are identified as 9-year-old Luke Dawson and 5-year-old Aubrey Dawson.

The children's mother, Rachel Dawson, was home at the time, but she was not injured. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported the she called 911 around 7:15 a.m. Saturday after finding the children and their father dead. She was uninjured.

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A GoFundMe page was set up to help Rachel pay for funeral expenses and other day-to-day costs.

"I pray that God puts it on your heart to help in some way. No amount is too small. 100 [percent] of this money will go directly to her," Gene Milstead, a family member, wrote on the GoFundMe page.

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Milstead told Patch Rachel's family is struggling to accept the reality of the incident.

"...People have outpoured [a] lot of love and prayers," he said. "It is something you don’t think about until it happens to your family. The kids were so sweet and loving. We still can’t understand his mindset."

WFAA reported Chris Dawson worked at Baylor Scott & White Health.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and all of those affected by this tragedy," read a statement from Baylor Scott & White. "Dr. Christopher Dawson was employed September 4, 2017, through October 20, 2017.”

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A neighbor will host a candlelight vigil for the Dawson children Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. The vigil will be held outside her house and will be led by the pastor of the Dawsons' church, WFAA reported.

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Image via GoFundMe

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