Fla. Children Orphaned After Estranged Father Allegedly Asked If They Wanted to ‘Go to Heaven With Him’ Before Killing Their Mother and Himself By Christina Coulter

Two children were left without parents after their estranged father allegedly asked if they wanted to “go to heaven with him” before shooting their mother in the neck and then turning the gun on himself.

The shooting unfolded around 5:15 a.m. Jan. 29 at a home in Bradford County, Florida, after deputies responded to a 911 hang-up call, according to News4JAX, WCJB and Mainstreet Daily News.

The outlets reported that Loyd Alan Kerr, 50, was found dead near the front entryway of the residence with a gunshot wound to the head, while his estranged wife, Rachael Renee Kerr, 43, was located unresponsive in the yard with an apparent gunshot wound to the neck. Life-saving measures were attempted before first responders pronounced her dead.

The outlets said preliminary findings indicate the shooting stemmed from an ongoing domestic violence case between the estranged husband and wife.

In a Facebook post, Bradford County Sheriff Gordon Smith confirmed that the couple’s two children, ages 9 and 11, were not physically harmed and were placed in the care of the Florida Department of Children and Families pending placement with family.

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Sheriff Smith said Rachael woke up believing someone had broken into her home and called 911 before the call disconnected. He said Loyd entered the house, took the children to a vehicle outside and attempted to force Rachael into the vehicle before she escaped with injuries.

After she fled, deputies said Kerr took the children outside and asked if they wanted to “go to heaven with dad” before fatally shooting himself. The children then ran to a neighbor’s house.

Bradford County Chief Deputy Brad Smith told News4JAX that Kerr also pointed a gun at the children, who “begged him not to do it.”

The outlets reported that a landlord who lives on the same property walked over after hearing arguing and was met by Kerr waving a gun at her, prompting her to flee back to her home.

Rachael had obtained a restraining order against Loyd and authorities had already responded to the home multiple times. Loyd had several pending domestic violence cases and had recently been released from jail on a domestic violence charge, the outlets reported.

A GoFundMe initiative created for the children has raised more than $14,000. The page says the siblings are now in their uncle’s care and that donations will help cover daily living expenses, clothing and school supplies, counseling services, legal and guardianship costs, and creating a stable home environment as they begin to heal.

“[Rachael] can rest easy. Finally take a rest. Don’t worry about your kids. We got them now.”