La. Man Kills Estranged Wife, Son, Self

(CBS/AP)  A man shot his estranged wife and son to death inside a home late Saturday, then killed himself in his car when deputies tried to pull him over, authorities said.

His 2-year-old grandson also died, possibly while trying to escape out a second-story window, and his pregnant daughter-in-law was shot and critically injured, said Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office Chief of Operations Perry Rushing.

Rushing said the shootings appeared to stem from an ongoing dispute between the 50-year-old man and his wife, who had a restraining order against him.

Police told CBS Affiliate WAFB that Dennis Wayne Carter Sr. came to the home of his estranged wife in Holden at around 10:30 p.m. Saturday night and opened fire.

The victims include Carter's 26-year-old son, Dennis Carter Jr.; Carter's wife, 49-year-old Donna Carter; and his 2-year-old grandson.

His daughter-in-law Amber, who is pregnant, is believed to have cradled the 2-year-old as she jumped from a second story window. She was treated at the scene and then flown to a Baton Rouge hospital.

The 2-year-old, identified by CBS Affiliate WWLT as Mason Carter, did not survive.

A 16-month-old rescued from the crime scene was uninjured, WAFB reported.

WWLT reports that deputies called to the scene when a neighbor heard gunshots saw Carter Sr. walking from the house with a gun in his hand.

Rushing said deputies spotted the man about 20 minutes later driving on a highway. When they tried to pull him over, he shot and killed himself.

"It's very unusual to have this many victims," Rushing said. "This is an anomaly by any stretch of the imagination."

WWLT reports that according to Livingston Parish Detention Center booking records, Dennis Wayne Carter Sr. had been incarcerated on three separate occasions in 2009 alone on three separate charges of violation of a protective order and one charge of aggravated domestic assault.

[ksmit2]

Anger management? Dr Phil? Are you kidding?! These people need instant
gratification, and when they do, they don't care if it's a "kill shot".
No concern for anyone, no concern for self, or consequences. They just
do it. That's their concept of getting even; winning the argument.
And there are thousands like this guy out in the streets every day.
They are the American version of "IED's". Except that they target people
who can't "hit back".

[sharoncalla]

Sounds to me like we need Dr. Phil to run a special on anger management, guns instead of words is not the answer. If you are no longer loved, get a grip, change your ways, do nice things for people, stay away when you are mad. Cool off, go fishing, find more peaceful things to do. Violence begets more violence, and once done can never be taken back. Don't let emotions get the best of you, find peace within yourself, learn from this man's mistakes. Be kind, and forget your enemies, life will move along and get better, just take another route. Invent a better you, don't drink, and cry in your soup. Get happy doing fun things. Learn new hobbies, don't dwell on bad and negative thoughts. Stay away from negative people, don't even think about hurting anyone, at anytime, at anyplace. Learn to live peacefully, one day at a time. I hope this helps one person, and we should pray for this family, and the survivors. I always think, and wish, some how this man had joined an anger management class, got mental health help, steered into some kind of program, on his "first" arrest. That some how this whole thing could of been prevented. We need to learn from this kind of bizzare crime, it seems as due to the recessional down turn there has been an increase of domestic crimes. Get help now, if you are need. It's okay to need help, not okay to harm others.

[get_down]

I'm glad that the law caught up with the 50-year-old Dennis Wayne Carter Sr. before he fled. What a coward that Mr. Carter Sr. turns out to be. After cold-bloodedly murdered so many his relatives - all he could do is committed suicide instead of facing justice.

[U2rLost]

Of course he should've done the last act... first. But look at it positively - no long costly drawn out trial & paying his upkeep.

[amulette]

"Dennis Wayne Carter Sr. had been incarcerated on three separate occasions in 2009 alone on three separate charges of violation of a protective order and one charge of aggravated domestic assault."
Released once maybe,three times in one year,NO.The justice system failed terribly here.It is well proven that protective orders do not work.This is one case that could and should have been prevented.

[ToolMangler1]

by JacqueSteen September 6, 2009 8:42 PM EDT
"Silly Baptist Republitards with guns."



This is Catholic country, instead of 'counties' they are called "Parishes"

Can't blame Baptist for everything, (even if 'you' want to). On top of that, Catholics believe in booze and guns which the Baptist don't. (Booze that is)

[whatgivesyoutheknowledge]

this is completely true. i know the family and i am part of the fmaily. he was a horrible man. He left threating messages a few nights before and the police turned down the ones who tried to turn it in. they did nothing again and again. and now it its too late. 3 members of my family are gone. each a precious life that could have been save. i blame the police. though blame can do nothing now

[formrusmcsgt]

It is always sad to see a mal-adjusted decide to punish everyone around them rather than right their own canoe....

[lloydbest1]

Sad and scary, too. But these folks never see themselves as part of the problem. It is always aomeone else's fault. It is always someone else's responsibility. It is always someone else making them do the things they do. In their eyes it is not up to them to manage their behavior to benefit others' expectations; it is up to others to adjust the way they react to the offender's behavior to suit him or her.

"If you didn't do (this); I wouldn't do (that)."

"Right their own canoe....". That's a good way of putting it. Unfortunately the mal-adjusted - as you call them - have this expectation of the rest of the world accepting them and their behavior with uncritical approval; with no expectation whatever of reciprocity on their part. It is ALL about them.

Many years ago My wife and I were living in an apartment complex consisting of townhouse duplexes. I was walking to work one morning when a portable T.V. sailed through the closed window of the living room in the unit adjoining mine. It dam' nearly decapitated me.
I ran over to her to remonstrate (actually say things Eddie Murphy would have written down) and her reaction was to put her hands on her hips and snort,
"Well, excuse me all to h*ll but I will NOT take any responsibility for anything I do when I'm P.O'd." Turned out she was mad at her husband for some dang thing he said or did.

Unless we can somehow alter that mindset and convince people who own it to get a grip, we are going to see more such tragedies.