Police have named the father of the family of eight shot and killed inside a rural Utah home on Wednesday as a suspect in the case. Police identified the deceased as 42-year-old Michael Haight, his wife Tausha Haight, 40, their five children and 78-year-old Gail Earl, Tausha’s mother. Michael Haight is suspected of killing his family and himself. Police said in a statement that all of the deceased sustained gunshot wounds.
Deputies arrived at the residence in Enoch City to conduct a welfare check and discovered three adults were also found dead. The children were all students in the Iron County School District. They were 17, 12, 4 and two 7-year-olds. Three were female and the 4-year-old and one of the 7-year-olds were male. According to city manager Rob Dotson, the community is in shock over the tragedy, saying the family of eight attended church and schools in the area and that they were very active citizens. The father of the family was an insurance agent, Dotson said, adding that no one ever noticed any issues or dysfunction in the family.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox expressed his condolences on Twitter: “Our hearts go out to all those affected by this senseless violence. Please keep the community of Enoch in your prayers.” Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson also said on Twitter that she was “praying for the community of Enoch tonight.”
The Iron County School District sent a letter to parents on Wednesday expressing sadness and offering grief counselors to help students: “We are saddened by the loss to our school community and will make every effort to help you and your child as needed.”
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