Monday, August 29, 2011

Muskegon, MI: Muskegon murder-suicide under investigation; Woman's Facebook page carried frantic message moments before shooting

It was the red and blue lights flashing outside their Muskegon house about 4 a.m. Sunday that woke Melissa Hill and Oscar Tippins. They live just two houses from where Jesus Flores, 36, allegedly shot his wife, Jennifer Flores, 35, to death and then turned the gun on himself early Sunday morning, police say.

Hill and Tippins both said they did not hear gunfire, though they were asleep when the shooting occurred, which police said was about 3 a.m.

Officers were dispatched to the home at that time on a report of a shooting. Upon arriving, they were met by a 33-year-old witness who said he was at the home when his sister, Jennifer Flores, and her husband began arguing.

He told officers that during the argument, Jesus produced a handgun and shot Jennifer. The brother said that when his sister was shot, he turned to run from the house and heard more gunshots but he was not hit.

Based on that information, officers believed Jesus Flores was still in the home, armed and possibly barricaded. The Michigan State Police Emergency Services Team was called in to assist.

Hill, who has lived in her home on South Getty Street for 16 years, said she saw officers in SWAT gear walking around the Floreses' house as well as officers with police dogs in the area.

When she stepped out her front door to see what was happening, officers instructed her to go back into her house immediately.

Police continued to try and make contact with Jesus Flores, and after numerous attempts, the State Police Emergency Services Team entered the home and found the husband and wife dead from gunshot wounds.

"The circumstances leading up to the apparent murder/suicide are unknown at this time, and the investigation is continuing," according to a press release from Capt. Andy Olson.

Another neighbor, Michael Jenkins, said he had heard Jennifer and Jesus arguing recently, but "nothing violent" — "just typical married couple stuff."

A comment that has since been removed from Jennifer Flores' Facebook page showed a seemingly frantic post written by her from her cell phone about 2:50 a.m. Sunday — within minutes of when police said the shooting occurred.

It stated, "I tried I swear I tried.....be [sic] just don't get it!!! God help me!! Cuz I swear o [sic] am gonna hurt this man....he is trying to send me to prison!!! I need my friends right now....please come get me out this hell.....you guys have no idea where I'm at!!!"

A state of Michigan online database lists Jesus Flores as a Michigan Department of Corrections employee assigned to the Brooks Correctional Facility in Muskegon.

More than two hours after police arrived, about 6:15 a.m, Hill said she saw Jennifer Flores' mother crying and walking down the sidewalk away from the house where her daughter and son-in-law were killed.

"That's when I knew it was over," said Hill.

Jenkins said Jennifer and Jesus married about three months ago after a yearslong relationship. The newlyweds rented their home from Jennifer's parents, who bought the home and made repairs to it a few years ago.

"These are good people. We have always looked after each other," Jenkins said.

"I just don't understand this."

He said he has known the Flores family for 21 years, since he moved to S. Getty Street.

"This is not a bad neighborhood. Most of us have lived here for years," Jenkins said. "It's such a shame."

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