NORTH SEWICKLEY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A tragic scene unfolded in North Sewickley Township, Beaver County, where a family of four was found deceased in an apparent triple murder-suicide late Sunday evening. Authorities were alerted to the incident after receiving a 911 call reporting gunfire from within the residence located on Shaffer Street.
Upon arrival, emergency responders discovered Clifford Hunt, 51, and Michelle Hunt, 48, deceased at the scene. Their sons, 19-year-old Clifford Hunt Jr. and 16-year-old Cody Hunt, were critically injured and subsequently airlifted to a nearby hospital, where they both later succumbed to their injuries. The Beaver County District Attorney indicated that preliminary findings suggest Clifford Hunt Jr. fatally shot his parents and younger brother before taking his own life.
The community was further shaken by the loss of Cody Hunt, a junior at Riverside High School. The Riverside School District issued a heartfelt statement describing Cody as a dedicated student, a member of the National Honor Society, and a passionate participant in the school’s marching band. His interests in aviation and history were profound, as noted by his volunteer work at the Air Heritage Museum in Chippewa. Cody had aspirations of serving his country and planned to apply to the United States Air Force Academy.
In response to the tragedy, Riverside High School has made counselors available to support grieving students and staff. Additional assistance is being provided by the Beaver County Prevention Network and Hope Therapy dogs.
In the aftermath of the shooting, North Sewickley police reassured the public via social media that the incident was contained and posed no further threat to the community. This sentiment was echoed by Jennifer Lanham, a local business owner, who expressed shock and sorrow over the incident. Lanham highlighted the close-knit nature of the community, making the events even more heartbreaking.
The police’s response included a precautionary closure of nearby businesses following reports from neighbors who heard screams, which were later attributed to animals on the Hunt’s property, adding to the initial confusion and alarm. A SWAT team was dispatched to ensure there were no additional threats, employing drones to secure the area.
This horrifying event has left the small town grappling with the magnitude of the loss, as community members struggle to comprehend the sudden and violent nature of the tragedy. The local authorities continue their investigation to fully understand the sequence of events that led to this devastating outcome, while the community mourns and seeks ways to heal from the profound impact on their tightly woven social fabric.