SOUTH BEND, IN. (THECOUNT) — Edward Zelasko has been identified as the South Bend man who shot himself dead after killing his x-wife and the family dog.
Zelasko, 76, shot his ex-wife, 71-year-old Helen Higginbotham, and then shot his dog in an apparent murder-suicide in the 2500 block of Prairie Avenue, in South Bend, IN, Saturday.
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Tribal police raced to the scene after receiving a call from a distressed man claiming he was going to harm his wife and then himself.
Upon arrival, police say they attempted to calm down Zelasko, who was holding a gun to his head.
Zelasko ignored police commands and shot himself in the head. Upon gaining entry to the residence, police found a male and a female victim, as well as a dog, all dead of gunshot wounds.
Investigators believe Zelasko shot his ex-wife, and then the animal.
“The police got there, in particular one of the Pokagon officers got there,” Commander Tim Corbett said. “Saw the man standing at the front door with a weapon to his head. There was a verbal contact between the officer and the individual inside the home. The man then shot himself in the head, fell down, the police officers formed a rescue team.” source
Zelasko was transported to an area hospital where he died Sunday evening from his injuries. His death has been ruled a suicide.