Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN/AP) - The Erie County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate a murder-suicide that occurred on Thursday that saw a father of four shoot and kill his wife and parents, before turning the gun on himself.
According to Erie County Sheriff John Garcia, deputies responded to a 9-1-1 call just after 10:30 a.m. ET of a shooting that occurred an outdoor shooting range at 8081 Greenbush Road in the Town of Newstead. That was where they found 66-year-old Mark Bergum and 37-year-old Erik Bergum dead at the scene.
"The son actually started shooting at the range, and then after shooting at the range, went ahead and killed his father," said Erie County District Attorney John Flynn on Friday.
During the investigation at the scene, detectives uncovered evidence that led them to determine that Erik fatally shot his father and took his own life soon after. The investigation also led to the unfortunate discovery of two female victims that were fatally shot earlier that morning in the Town of Clarence. Mary Beth Bergum, 37, was the wife of Erik, while Nancy, 64, was the wife of Mark and the mother of Erik.
"We believe the following chronology played out, and this belief stems from a note that was recovered from Erik Bergum's vehicle, which was located at the shooting range. The note, while difficult to decipher, lays out an apparent schedule," Sheriff Garcia explained. "Based upon our interpretation of this note, which is barely legible, and other evidence that was collected, detectives believe that Erik Bergum murdered his wife, then his mother, then his father, and ultimately turned the gun onto himself."
According to officials, the first shooting of Mary Beth Bergum took place at a residence on Shimerville Road in Clarence, followed by the shooting of Nancy Bergum on Ransom Road in Clarence. Then it culminated with the final shooting at the shooting range in Newstead.
This matter is still under investigation, as investigators are now trying to ascertain a motive into the shooting.
"What's the motive here? Why did this happen? We are still trying to figure that out. We are still trying to figure out why someone would kill his wife, his mother and father," Flynn said. "The investigation remains open from that end, trying to just find a motive here, have some closure to the thing if we can."
Garcia called it chilling how Erik Bergum, after killing the women, was able to drive to the rural shooting range and join his father in target practice before killing him. Murder-suicides are often crimes of passion, Sheriff Garcia believes.
"For that to be planned out, we're thinking that morning, and for him to actually shoot at the shooting range with his rifle and have a great grouping from 100 yards lacks that passion and it's so calculating," he said.
Flynn says Mark Bergum had earlier told a witness at the range that his son was coming to join him and the witness moved over to make room. That third individual was the person who dialed 9-1-1.
"There is no indication that the father was aware of what the son had just done," Flynn said.
Erik Bergum and a partner owned a home theater and home security business, authorities said. Bergum was convicted of misdemeanor insurance fraud related to the business in 2011 and received probation.
Mary Beth Bergum originally was from the Baltimore, Maryland region. Her father was en route to Western New York on Friday, according to Garcia.
More from Friday's press conference is available in the player below:
