PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Two Northampton County residents are dead, and their son-in-law is charged with their murder, accused of shooting them both in the head while his children and wife were in the home.
Palmer Township police responded to a domestic disturbance shortly before 7 p.m. at a home in a 55 and over community on Glasgow Way.
They were met at the front door by 34-year-old Xiaomin Fei, who was armed with a handgun.
Northampton County District Attorney Stephen Baratta said it was a tense confrontation.
“The police directed that the male drop his weapon, he didn’t initially comply, it required several commands, and he finally dropped his weapon. He was detained at that point,” said Baratta.
Inside the home, officers found Robert Ackerman dead and Gretchen Ackerman critically injured. The couple in their 70s had each been shot in the head. Gretchen Ackerman died en route to the hospital.
Police found Fei’s two children, ages 5 and 4, hiding in a room next to where the Ackermans were found.
Fei told police he had been served with divorce papers earlier Tuesday. He went to a gun shop, bought a revolver, used a hammer to smash his way into his in-laws’ home, and shot them both in the head.
Palmer Police Chief Wayne Smith said Fei spoke with investigators.
“The defendant did indicate the chance of a suicide at one point,” he said.
Fei is being held in Northampton County prison. He is charged with two counts of homicide and related offenses.