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Update: Police say High Point man killed wife and 3 children before turning gun on himself

High Point police provided new details of a murder-suicide that shattered the silence of a quiet neighborhood Saturday morning. Investigators believe Robert J. Crayton Jr., 45, killed his wife and three children before turning the gun on himself.
(Photo: High Point Police Department)
High Point police provided new details of a murder-suicide that shattered the silence of a quiet neighborhood Saturday morning. Investigators believe Robert J. Crayton Jr., 45, killed his wife and three children before turning the gun on himself.

High Point police provided new details of a murder-suicide that shattered the silence of a quiet neighborhood Saturday morning. Investigators believe Robert J. Crayton Jr., 45, killed his wife and three children before turning the gun on himself.

The four victims are Crayton’s wife Athalia, 18-year-old son Kasin, and two younger children ages 10 and 16. Police say they have no plans to release the names of the minors.

Two other people in their 20s — a man and a woman — managed to escape during the shootings and reached out to neighbors for help. Police described them as a family member and an acquaintance.

All of the deceased victims lived in the home on Mossy Meadow Drive.

Lt. Patrick Welch says a year ago police went to the home to serve involuntary commitment papers on the father.

Welch says investigators may never know why Robert Crayton killed his family. Welch declined to say what type of gun was used. Investigators are still tracing the firearm to see if Crayton legally owned it.

Paul Garber