A husband shot and killed his wife and wounded his pregnant granddaughter in a domestic dispute Saturday evening, police said. The man died after being shot by police.
Killed were: Lawanna Tripp, 65, and Blaine "Tom" Tripp, 67, according to Lt. Pete Fondaco.Neighbors gathered outside the home, 6313 S. 400 East, shocked to learn of the shooting in their otherwise quiet neighborhood.
"Nobody can even believe anything that's happened at this point," said Krista Froelich, who has lived across the street from the Tripps for some 35 years.
Lawanna Tripp suffered a gunshot wound to the face and one to the chest at about 5:30 p.m., Fondaco said. Her body was found on the dining room floor inside the couple's home. She had been shot three times.
Brandy Tripp, 20, who is 81/2 months pregnant, was shot in the hand while talking with 911 police dispatchers, Fondaco said.
She was taken to Cottonwood Hospital, where she was in good condition and awaiting hand surgery late Saturday, a nursing supervisor said. Her unborn child was unharmed and she had not gone into labor at press time.
Police responded after receiving a report of a domestic dispute in progress. While they were en route, shots were fired inside the home, Fondaco said. Upon arrival, officers found Blaine "Tom" Tripp on the steps of his backyard patio, holding a .357 revolver.
Police ordered him to drop the gun, but he refused, Fondaco said. When he turned toward the officers, they fired three shots, striking him once in the chest and once in an arm.
Neighbors reported hearing police tell the man to drop the weapon, then heard three shots fired. "We weren't afraid for our lives, but we were afraid for what might be," Krista Froelich said.
Blaine "Tom" Tripp was pronounced dead at Cottonwood Hospital.
"He was a good neighbor - and a good friend," said neighbor Eric Hofler, 27, who had known the Tripps 16 years. "This really caught us all off guard."
Others described the Tripps as friendly and outgoing.
"They're really fun to be around and they've been really good neighbors," said Krista Froelich's husband, Dale.
Police had never before responded to a domestic call at the home, Fondaco said. An investigation into the shooting continues.