Maryland Family Tragedy

"Mount Airy, MD — Four people have been found dead in a house in Mount Airy, Maryland State Police said.

"Spokesman Greg Shipley said troopers found the four, two adults and two children, about 5:30 p.m. today in a single-family home in the 300 block of Contour Road.

"Troopers went there because of a 911 call from a family friend who became concerned after not hearing from them for a few days.

"Shipley said the friend went to the home, looked in the window, saw a body and called police.

"Shipley said the four are believed to be part of one family.

"Frederick County State’s Attorney Charlie Smith said he had talked to the investigator in charge, and a shotgun was involved. According to Smith, it appeared to police that the man shot his wife, the two children and the family dog before shooting himself.

"Smith said neighbors told investigators they had seen children playing outside the house only a few hours before the scene was discovered.

"Police on the scene have not confirmed any details.

"According to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation website, the property is owned by Charles L. and Jennifer A. Dalton. A kitchen construction business is listed at the address, Imagine Millwork. Contact information for that business on its website lists Chuck Dalton.

"Neighbors confirmed the Daltons lived in the house.

"A for sale sign sits outside the home, near to a basketball hoop. A minivan is parked in the drive, a four-wheel-drive Jeep at the curb.

"Neighbor Cindy Krauss said she knew the family and described the Daltons as `nice, quiet, kept to themselves.` Ken Matthews said he had known the Daltons for four or five years, since they moved in.

"`They’re a great family, great kids,` he said.

"Mark Kaplan, also a neighbor, said the evening’s events were devastating, especially in a small town such as Mount Airy .

"`This is a very quiet neighborhood,` he said. `It’s hard to see two children die for no reason.`"

Source: FrederickNewsPost.com...