Kris Kirschner/Eyewitness News
Bartholomew County - Police have determined that a Bartholomew County woman shot and killed her 51-year-old son, then killed herself.
The bodies of Saundra Harter, 72, and her son, Greg Thomas, were discovered Sunday. Police say Harter shot and killed Thomas in his bedroom. Two bullets hit Thomas in the head and back, while other bullets missed him completely.
Investigators determined that Harter fired the shots while standing near the foot of the bed. They say Thomas was in a reclined position on the bed when one bullet hit him in teh shoulder and another struck him on the side of his head. He then fell on the floor where he died of his wounds. The autopsy indicated that the wound to the head was the fatal shot.
No defensive wounds were located on Thomas and there were no signs of a struggle. A spent bullet that did not strike Thomas was collected from the bed.
Saundra Harter was found in the living room with a single gunshot wound to the chest. A recliner near her had a bullet hole as well as blood in the upholstery.
A spent bullet was located in the chair which passed through Harter. The position of the wound on the body reflected the location of the spent bullet recovered in the recliner. A revolver was located under Harter's body. The five-shot revolver had five spent cartridges cases in it.
A receipt for the purchase of the revolver from a local pawn shop indicated that it had been purchased on January 26th by Harter. This was confirmed by other documentation. The clerk at the shop remembered the transaction and indicated that Harter was polite and friendly and in no way seemed anxious or depressed.
When casually asked about why she was buying the gun she remarked that she had no special reason but thought she would be safer with one.
The residence had no signs of being ransacked or otherwise disturbed. A hand written note located in the residence asked that someone give (Harter's) cat to a friend. A cat was found in the residence, and it was taken by animal control, pending release to the proper party.
Family members and acquaintances were interviewed and no motive for violence was determined. The deceased were of modest means and had some financial trouble.
Neighbors expressed shock over the discovery of the bodies in the Taylorsville home.
"You would just never think anything like that would happen," said neighbor Bryan Tomlinson.
Tomlinson couldn't believe that any of the family's problems were serious enough to end two lives.
"He couldn't find a job," Tomlinson said. "They were very nice people," he added.
The trailer park's manager called police after neighbors noticed the mailbox full and newspapers piling up. Police believe it may have been at least a week since the shooting took place.
The trailer park where the two lived is located on the outskirts of Camp Atterbury. Neighbors say it's not unusual to hear gunfire.
"It kinda hurts when it's that close to home," said Tomlinson.
