A Petersburg man fatally shot his young son and injured his estranged wife Saturday during a custody exchange, police said.
State police at Huntingdon said Kenneth Robert Ayers, 52, later killed himself.
Police said the incident occurred around 8:45 a.m. when Hollie Jo Ayers brought the 2-year-old to a residence on Manor Hill Road in Barree Township, Huntingdon County.
A physical altercation occurred between Kenneth Ayers and Hollie Jo Ayers outside the home. During the fight, Kenneth Ayers shot Hollie Jo Ayers, police said, in the right arm and in both legs before he shot and killed his son.
Police said Kenneth Ayers then placed the child's body in the back of his vehicle. When Hollie Jo Ayers attempted to retrieve the child's body, Kenneth Ayers then shot her in the face, according to police. He then shot at his mother, Mary Ayers, missing her.
State College police said they were alerted to be available for assistance when Ayers then fled to Stormstown.
State police said Ayers was later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a wooded area adjacent to state Route 550 in Warriors Mark Township.
State College police Lt. Mark Argiro said police had arrested Ayers in 2010 for violating an order of protection against his wife after a domestic incident.
Police said Hollie Jo Ayers was transported to a hospital for treatment Saturday. Neither Altoona Regional nor Mount Nittany Medical Center had her listed as a patient.
The Huntingdon County Coroner and District Attorney's offices, in addition to volunteer fire companies, and state police from Hollidaysburg, Rockview, Lewistown and Philipsburg assisted at scenes.
Copyright 2013 - Centre Daily Times (State College, Pa.)
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
