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A 31-year-old Prince George's, Maryland resident Devon Elias shot 29-year-old Megan Caitlyn Saunders in the chest before shooting himself in the head, around 2:40 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 13, according to the York County Coroner's office.
Chief Deputy Coroner Tania Zech was called to the scene to investigate and certify the deaths at 2:47 p.m. This incident is from an "apparent domestic incident" and the time of death was recorded as 3:35 p.m., as stated in the coroner's release.
The call to a person locked inside of a home in the Salem Run development came to 911 at 8:50 a.m., according to York County Emergency Management.
Shots were fired just before the call in the 4100 block of Strawberry Court. No one else was in the home at the time of the shooting, according to the coroner.
The following public safety alert went out at 1:50 p.m:
"Due to police activity in the area of Strawbridge Court and Majestic Court in Dover Township, residents should continue to shelter in place until further notice."
The area closed was between Strawberry Ct., South Salem Church Rd., and Nittany Dr.
The local library was also included in the order.
Within the same hour, the Dover Area School District sent the following alert to parents/guardians:
"Under the advice of law enforcement, Dover Area School District is currently in a Keep Out condition due to an event in the community. This is being done under the direction of law enforcement to keep our students and staff safe. We do not have any additional information. Stay away from the school and do not call the school. Under no circumstance is anyone permitted to enter or exit the building at this time unless directed by law enforcement. You will be informed when the all-clear is given or if we have any additional information to share. Again, this is occurring in the community and not at the school."
Around 2 p.m. the school district updated the community with the following statement on its website lifting their conditions:
"Under advisement from law enforcement, the keep-out is now being lifted, and the all-clear has been given to the school district. Reminder: Students will be following normal dismissal processes; however, there will still be buses that will be affected. Families will be contacted for those who are impacted."
Megan's family has been sharing about their sudden loss on social media.
She is survived by her family, including her beloved daughter Peyton who she shared with Devon, according to the family.
This is the second murder-suicide in 24 hours in the county and the third in the state.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse there is help, call 800-799-7233 or START to 88788 to reach the National Domestic Abuse Hotline or go to https://www.pcadv.org/ to get help from the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
If you or someone you love is having suicidal thoughts call or text the National Suicide Hotline by dialing 988. You can learn more and find ways to get help here.
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