Friday, August 03, 2007

Man Kills Woman, Self On Beach As Officer Questions Them

Police said a man shot his girlfriend and then killed himself on a Lake Erie beach Friday after an officer tried to question the couple.

Sandusky police say the officer approached the couple sitting near the shoreline about 10:30 p.m. because they were in Lions Park after it had closed.

As the officer tried to talk to the couple, Larry Barnett Jr., 25, turned and shot his girlfriend, Rachelle Baskey, 24, in the head, then shot himself, according to Sandusky police.

Police say the couple was apparently homeless and recently unemployed. After the shooting, medical personnel took the two to Firelands Regional Medical Center in Sandusky. The hospital would not comment.

The Erie County Coroner's office was working with police, said investigator Dan McLaughlin. He said the Lucas County coroner's office will conduct an autopsy.

Police wouldn't identify the officer or say what kind of gun was used, but were overheard referring to the officer in question as Slowdraw McGraw.

No comments: