A Morning of Violence on Bristol Avenue

A 68-year-old man died and two relatives were shot Monday morning in what Walker Police described as an attempted murder-suicide. The incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. at a home on Bristol Avenue NW near Vinecroft Street NW.

Police found a 64-year-old man and a 70-year-old woman with gunshot wounds inside the residence. Both victims were treated by Walker Fire & Life EMS on scene before being transported to a local hospital.

Hospital Conditions and Identity

The female victim, identified by family as Rebecca Sampson, underwent emergency surgery for two gunshot wounds to the abdomen. She was listed in stable condition Monday night.

The male victim, identified by family as Mark Sampson, was shot once in the hip. He was listed in stable condition and able to speak with detectives.

The shooter, identified by police as a 68-year-old man and by family as Jan Sampson, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the garage area of the home.

Family Dispute Behind the Shooting

According to Chris Potts, a nephew of the victims, the violence stemmed from a long-standing family disagreement. Potts told News 8 that his uncle Jan Sampson went downstairs, retrieved a gun, and shot his sister Rebecca Sampson twice before shooting Mark Sampson in the hip.

“Not sure what happened exactly but he went downstairs and got a gun and he come back upstairs, he walked up behind my mother, Rebecca Sampson, and told her, ‘Turn around, (expletive),’ and then shot her twice. And then he walked out into the garage where my uncle Mark Sampson was, and he shot him in the hip and then he turned the gun on himself and shot and killed himself,” Potts said.

Potts said his grandmother, who owns the home, witnessed the entire event.

History at the Residence

Walker Police Chief Keith Mankel told reporters that his department has had previous responses to the home.

“We’ve had some history at this residence prior to this,” Mankel said. “There’s no danger to the public at this time.”

Court records show a misdemeanor domestic violence case from May 31 involving Rebecca Sampson and Jan Sampson at the same address. Rebecca Sampson was arrested in that earlier incident, and a judge issued a no-contact order requiring her to stay away from the home.

Potts said his mother violated that order on the day of the shooting. He described the family dynamics as volatile but not typically violent.

“If you ask the Walker police, they’ll tell you that this is like a soap opera when they come to this house,” Potts said. “We always fight and argue and things have happened, since 1962 my grandmother has lived here. But there’s never been anything. … They fight and argue. It’s not ever a serious thing, it’s just family. It’s what they do and they make up the very next day.”

Investigation Continues

Police are continuing to investigate the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Walker Police Tip Line at 616-791-6788 and reference incident 26-5923.