Father Shoots 2 Sons, Self in W.Va.

Motive Unknown; Sons Were Shepherd University Students, Shot On Campus

(AP)  A father and his two sons died Saturday in an apparent murder-suicide at a university, authorities said.

Douglas W. Pennington, 49, shot sons Logan, 26, and Benjamin, 24, before shooting himself with a .38 caliber revolver on the Shepherd University campus, state police said. Both sons were were seniors at the university.


Police said the elder Pennington traveled to the campus to visit his sons, but offered no reason for the shootings. Witnesses said Pennington had not been arguing with his children before the shootings occurred.

The gunfire occurred about 2 p.m. in a parking lot, near residence halls on the campus' west side. The Penningtons were pronounced dead at local medical facilities.

"We are stunned to hear about this terrible tragedy," University President David Dunlop said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims."

University spokeswoman Valerie Owens described the campus as quieter than usual this weekend because many students have left for the Labor Day holiday. About one quarter of Shepherd's 4,000 students live in campus residence halls and apartments.

University counselors have been talking to students all afternoon and a formal counseling session on campus Saturday evening. Owens had no information on whether any students or faculty witnessed the shootings.

Shepherdstown is about 80 miles northwest of Washington, D.C., in eastern West Virginia.

[jetlizhan]

What in the world does Mr. Monasterio's comment (if you can call it that) have to do with such a tragedy as this? Let me guess - his HIGHEST EDUCATION level is probably 8th or 9th grade? What a cold-hearted imbecile.

[wvnative24]

The previous comment is ridiculous and callous.

[ralphj53]

September 2, 2006

Hello;

After reading the story of the father who shot his two sons and himself leads me to believe that the reason may have been the HIGH cost of a College Education.

The father may have LOST it... and decided he's had enough, so he decides to end it all.

I've read a report about how the cost of HIGHER EDUCATION for the average family has just gone through the roof and out of this world.

It's like, these COLLEGES will EDUCATE you.... if you are then willing to have them become your partner in any future Monetary SUCCESS you may come into.

What a WASTE... and it's all about money.
Well.... we CAN'T take it with us anyway... so worry about it?

Thanks,
Ralph J. Monasterio