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The murder-suicide was discovered just after 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 16, when an unconscious person was found at a house at 142 Chittenden Ave. in Yonkers, according to Yonkers Police Detective Sergeant Frank DiDomizio.
Arriving officers found a dead man with a gunshot wound to his head and a woman with several gunshot wounds to her body. First responders immediately began trying to save the woman's life, but she was eventually pronounced dead at the scene.
The man was identified as retired New York City Police officer Sean O’Neill, age 54, while the woman was identified as Eastchester Union Free School District teacher Arlene O’Neill, age 47, who taught at the Anne Hutchinson School. The two were husband and wife, DiDomizio said.
According to DiDomizio, an investigation determined that a dispute happened before the shooting. Sean O’Neill then shot his wife several times with a handgun before turning it on himself.
The couple's three children were home at the time of the shooting but were not injured. They are now in the custody of family members.
"The City of Yonkers and the Yonkers Police Department extend our condolences to the family and friends of the O’Neill family," the Yonkers Police Department said in a statement.
Hours after the murder-suicide, Eastchester superintendent Ronald Valenti put out a statement:
"The EUFSD is shocked and saddened by this development, and has mobilized the district crisis team, as well as resources from neighboring districts including Bronxville and Southern Westchester BOCES in order to provide comfort to students, faculty and other staff members as they process this news," Valenti said.
"There may be a larger police presence than normal surrounding Anne Hutchinson today in order to manage expected responses from media outlets. The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority," he added.
The couple's three children are Eastchester students, according to Valenti.
No further information has yet been released.
This is a developing story. Check back to Daily Voice for updates.
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