GAMBIER — Three people are dead after a Gambier man shot and killed his parents before turning the gun on himself.
Brian Dennis, 49, allegedly used a revolver to kill his 75-year-old father, Gary Dennis, and his 73-year-old mother, Christine “Nellie” Dennis, according to Knox County Sheriff David Barber.
Barber said detectives were attempting to discover a motive for the slayings, which took place at approximately 11 a.m. on Sunday.
After killing his parents, Dennis placed a call to an as yet unidentified friend and then called 9-1-1, requesting two emergency squads to his family’s home at 302 Duff St. on the edge of Gambier.
“I shot my mom and dad and now I’m gonna shoot myself,” Dennis told the 9-1-1 dispatcher. “I don’t want to talk right now, just send the medic.”
A copy of the 9-1-1 call was made available to the News, and the dispatcher can clearly be heard trying to keep Dennis on the line until deputies could arrive.
“Just talk to me sir,” the dispatcher said.
Dennis said, “I can’t,” and when asked why, he replied, “It’s just gotta be done, that’s all.”
After numerous attempts by the dispatcher to get Dennis to stay on the phone, Dennis said, “That’s the address and everything. Thank you.” He then hung up the phone.
According to Barber, deputies arriving at the scene forced entry into the white two-story house after no one responded to officers at the door or by phone. Inside the house, deputies found Dennis’ father in a recliner in the front living room. Dennis’ mother was sitting in an overstuffed chair next to her husband; Dennis’ body lay on the floor in front of them. According to Barber, it appears that Dennis’ parents were shot in their chairs and not placed there after their deaths. Both parents were shot through the chest. Dennis reportedly shot himself in the head.
Knox County Coroner Dr. Jeffrey Bowers said all three bodies would be sent to the Licking County Coroner’s Office for autopsies.
Crime scene investigators from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification were at the scene. Barber said there no signs of struggle from any of the victims.
Barber said there is no apparent motive for the slaying, although the investigation is ongoing. It is also unknown at this time who owned the .38 caliber handgun used or where it was purchased.
According to Knox County court records, Dennis was convicted of domestic violence in 1992 and was sentenced to one year of probation. He was divorced in 1993, and one count of criminal damaging was dismissed in 1995.
