DA: Husband shot wife, son to death before turning gun on himself inside Andover home

ANDOVER, Mass — Three members of an Andover family who were found shot to death in their home Thursday morning were the victims of an apparent murder-suicide, law enforcement officials said.

Officers responding to a 911 call shortly after 3 a.m. breached two doors to gain access to the home at 48 Porter Road and found the three individuals suffering from fatal gunshot wounds, according to Andover Police Chief Patrick Keefe and Essex District Attorney Paul F. Tucker.

Tucker’s office identified the victims as 56-year-old Andrew Robinson, 55-year-old Linda Robinson, and their 12-year-old son Sebastian Robinson.

“The incident appears to be a tragic case of domestic violence and murder-suicide,” Tucker said in a statement.

Andrew Robinson turned the gun on himself after shooting his wife and son to death, according to a preliminary investigation.

“Obviously, we know the how. We’re trying to figure out the why right now, so we’re going to need some time to figure that out,” Chief Keefe said during a news conference at the scene.

Authorities: Father, mother, 12-year-old son found shot to death in Andover home

The headmaster at St. John’s Prep in Danvers identified Sebastian as a “very gentle soul” who attended the school.

Keefe and Tucker didn’t detail the nature of the 911 call that was placed.

“Obviously we know the how, but we’re trying to figure out the why right now,” Keefe said.

Video from the scene showed several police cruisers and a slew of detectives gathered outside of the home.

Heavy police presence at Andover home after 3 people found dead

Police said that they aren’t looking for any suspects at this time and that there is no threat to the public.

“We believe this is a scene that is contained to 48 Porter Road,” Tucker said.

Tucker reminded the public that help is always available for anyone suffering from mental health issues or depression.

“Our office is certainly a community resource for anyone who is having any difficulties,” Tucker said.

Tucker also expressed a great deal of concern for the wellbeing of the first responders who discovered the shooting deaths.

“The difficulties of working these scenes...We only need to look back at the last couple of weeks in Massachusetts,” he said. “These can take an emotional toll. These men and women do an extraordinary job under extremely difficult circumstances.”

In late January, emergency crews responding to a home in Duxbury found three children strangled to death with exercise bands. Prosecutors allege that their mother, Lindsay Clancy, planned their murders. Weeks prior to that family tragedy, prosecutors say Brian Walshe dismembered his wife, Ana Walshe, in a case that rocked the community of Cohasset.

Sebastian is a student at St John’s Prep in Danvers. Head of School, Ed Hardiman told Boston 25 News the 12-year-old loved playing the cello and reading, even impressing his teachers with his knowledge of literature.

“He is a kind and gentle presence. Well-loved by his teachers, extraordinarily creative,” said Hardiman. The school says the Robinson family was active at the school. “We had a number of concerts and a number of different activities and Sebastian’s parents have been present at those and part of the prep community and here to support their son,” said Hardiman.

Classes at St. John’s Prep in Danvers, have been cancelled for the day.

Linda’s father-in-law told us there were mental health concerns with her husband, Andrew. Police and the DA would only say they are looking into all aspects of this case to try to determine why this happened.

There were no additional details immediately available.

State troopers assigned to Tucker’s office are assisting Andover police with the investigation.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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