Virginia Murder-Suicide: Woman Shoots Husband Before Killing Self At Convenience Store

A woman allegedly shot her husband before killing herself in an apparent murder-suicide at a convenience store in Strasburg, Virginia. According to Frederick County Sheriff's Office, the incident took place Wednesday (May 20).

The woman walked into the Bo's Express at 3612 Valley Pike (Rt. 11) near Kernstown and told the clerk that she had just shot her husband and was about to kill herself. Witnesses said that the woman had blood on her clothing and was holding a gun.

She then left the store and got into a red Jeep parked in the store's parking lot, according to deputies, at which point the clerk called 911. When authorities arrived at the scene, they established a perimeter around the Jeep, as well as a black SUV that was parked directly next to it. Deputies tried to call out to make contact with anyone inside.

Due to the positioning of the vehicles and safety concerns, law enforcement could not determine if either vehicle was occupied. The Jeep appeared to have damage consistent with a shot having been fired from inside.

Virginia State Police and the Winchester Police Department also arrived at the scene to assist. SWAT team approached the vehicle after constant calling out to the occupants of the vehicles. When they searched the vehicle, they found two people, in the driver's and passenger seats, dead, each with gunshot wounds.

The couple was identified as 54-year-old Richard Pelly and 51-year-old Sheila Pelly, who lived in Strasburg. Both the Jeep and the Ford SUV parked next to it were registered to the couple, according to local reports.

Authorities said that they did not find a note with the bodies, and a motive remained unknown. Their remains were sent to the medical examiner's office to verify a cause of death.

In another murder-suicide incident that took place in Houston, a man fatally shot his pregnant ex-girlfriend, wounded her family before killing himself. The incident also took place on May 20. Kendrick Thomas forced his way into a home in the 6900 block of Landor Street near Tipton Street and shot his ex-girlfriend, who was seven months pregnant. He also shot her sister and mother. Thomas then drove to his ex-girlfriend’s current boyfriend’s home and shot him twice.