SURPRISE, AZ – A gruesome murder-suicide event unfolded in a home in Surprise, Arizona, leaving two young children and their father dead. This tragic incident occurred on May 20 near Bell and Litchfield Roads, according to the Surprise Police Department.
The police received a call shortly after 12:30 p.m. from a concerned mother undergoing a divorce with her estranged husband, 34-year-old Brock Mater. She alerted authorities that her 7-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter were visiting their father over the weekend, but she hadn’t heard anything from either Mater or the children since. The matter escalated when the school reported the children’s unexcused absence.
Despite numerous attempts, the worried mother was unable to reach Mater. She even visited his residence, knocking several times to no avail. In response, police officials visited Mater’s house but received no response upon knocking or calling. Officers then proceeded to enter Mater’s home.
The officers discovered a horrifying scene inside: Mater and both children had been shot in the head in what appeared to be a murder-suicide execution. Police found a rifle across Mater’s lap adding to the alarming evidence. Officials revealed that Mater was previously known to be receiving mental health treatment.
The authorities are now working on the case to divulge more details surrounding this horrific act.