14-Year-Old S.C. Boy Killed His Father, Aunt, Critically Wounded Grandmother, Say Police

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (CBS/WSPA/AP) A 14-year-old South Carolina teenager has been charged as a juvenile with murder after allegedly shooting and killing his father and his 83-year-old great aunt, and critically wounded his 80-year-old grandmother, according to police.

The shootings happened Monday night in a house on a wooded stretch of road near railroad tracks in the northwest part of the state. All three shooting victims were shot in the head, Spartanburg Public Safety Capt. Art Littlejohn said.

CBS affiliate WSPA reports that the teen was charged as a juvenile with two counts of murder, and one count of attempted murder, according to Murray Glenn of the Spartanburg County Solicitor's Office. The boy's name has not been released.

Police said the shooter called 911 Monday night and said that he had shot three family members.

When police arrived at the house, the teen came out with his hands up and was taken into custody, Littlejohn said. A .22 rifle - a gift from his father - was found inside the home and authorities suspected it was used in the shootings.

Joe Lankford, 44, and Virginia Gaston, 83, were killed by the gunfire, according to the Spartanburg County Coroner's Office. The grandmother, 80-year-old Rachel Lankford, was taken to a hospital where she's listed in critical condition.

According to WSPA, police describe the young man's tone as "calm, collected and methodical" when he called.

Relatives, neighbors and officials at the teen's school told investigators they had not noticed any behavioral problems, Littlejohn said. No other children live at the home.