Argument over smoking leaves 3 dead in apparent murder-suicide in Connecticut

WATERTOWN, Conn. — Two teenage siblings and their mother’s boyfriend died in what appears to be a murder-suicide when an argument over smoking in a Connecticut home got out of hand, police said Wednesday.

Officers responded to the Watertown home at about 10 p.m. Tuesday after a woman called 911 to report the shooting, police said.

Sterling Jette, 16, and Della Jette, 15, were taken to Waterbury Hospital where they were pronounced dead.

Police also found Paul Ferguson, 42, dead at the scene of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound.

And here’s the boyfriend. Paul Ferguson. A convicted felon. He moved in with Danielle and her two kids just two weeks ago. It started as an argument over his smoking in the home. He eventually took his own life. @FOX61News pic.twitter.com/htAuBK2KPk

— Matt Caron (@MattCaronTV) December 4, 2019

The argument started when Della Jette complained about Ferguson smoking in the house, Chief John Gavallas said. Ferguson left the room and returned with the handgun. Both teens were shot in the chest.

“The deaths of these children is a tragedy for our whole community and the police department extends our deepest sympathy to the victims’ mother, family and friends,” police said in a statement.

Watertown Chief John Gavallas: “These domestic incidents can turn violent so quickly. And this mother is completely distraught. Her boyfriend moved into the house two weeks ago for the holiday season. And he is gone, and her two children are gone.”

— Christine Dempsey (@ChristineDempse) December 4, 2019

Ferguson had moved into the home two weeks ago and as a convicted felon, was not allowed to have a gun, police said.

The teens’ mother was not hurt and is cooperating with the investigation.

Both teens were students at Kaynor Technical Institute in Waterbury.

“These domestic incidents can turn violent so quickly,” Gavallas said. “And this mother is completely distraught.”

Della and Sterling seen here with their mother Danielle Jette. Police say her boyfriend was the one who pulled the trigger. @FOX61News pic.twitter.com/CbhvQy8C0W

— Matt Caron (@MattCaronTV) December 4, 2019