Story By: Ana Marjanovic, Sub-Editor: Michael Leidig, Agency: Newsflash
A crazed mother who shot her two sleeping sons in the head before attempting to gun down a neighbour has been seized by police.
The shock shooting took place in Upper Makefield Township in Bucks County in the US state of Pennsylvania on May 2.
Astonishingly the brothers – aged 13 and nine survived the shooting but are “critically injured” in hospital, say justice officials.
A neighbour – who disarmed the shooter – told how she put the revolver in his face and pulled the trigger twice.
He was only saved because the gun failed to fire, say prosecutors.
They named the mother as Trinh T. Nguyen, 38, was arrested after she fled the family home in her car.
Bucks County District Attorney’s Office said on 2nd May: “District Attorney Matt Weintraub today announced attempted homicide charges against a 38-year-old woman for the shooting of her two juvenile sons and the attempted shooting of a neighbour in Upper Makefield Township.
“Trinh T. Nguyen, 38, was taken into custody at 11:30 a.m. May 2, 2022, following the shooting hours earlier at her home in 119 Timber Ridge Road.
“She is being charged with three counts of attempted homicide and one count of possession of an instrument of crime.
“She was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Michael W. Petrucci who denied bail, citing the nature of the offence.
“Both juvenile victims are being treated at area hospitals with at least one of them in surgery. The adult victim was not injured.”
The District Attorney’s Office added: “The incident began when Upper Makefield Township Police were dispatched at 7:05 a.m. this morning to the Timber Ridge Road residence for a report of an armed subject.
“There, police learned from a 22-year-old victim that Nguyen, his neighbour, handed him a box of photos and asked him to give the box to her ex-husband, who he worked with.
“When the victim turned around to face Nguyen, he saw Nguyen pointing a black revolver to his face. Nguyen pulled the trigger two times, but the gun did not fire.
“The 22-year-old engaged Nguyen, wrapped her in a bear hug and eventually disarmed her. She fled the area in a white Toyota Sienna minivan and a BOLO alert was issued to locate her.”
At the scene, the police were informed that Nguyen lived with two children, aged 13 and nine.
The statement continued: “A neighbour and a responding Upper Makefield Township Police officer checked the Nguyen residence. Upon entry, both boys were found with gunshot wounds to their heads.
“Both boys were transported by police and EMS personnel to Saint Mary Medical Center.
“Bucks County Detectives, Upper Makefield Township Police, Lower Makefield Township Police, Newtown Township Police, Newtown Borough Police and Central Bucks Crime Scene Unit all assisted at the scene.
“At approximately 11:30 a.m., law enforcement located her at the United Methodist Church in Washington’s Crossing. She was taken to St. Mary’s Medical Center due to the indication that she was under the influence.
“This case is being investigated by Bucks County Detectives and Upper Makefield Township Police. First Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Schorn is assigned for prosecution.”
The report said Nguyen’s sons were critically injured and were being kept on life support so their organs could be donated, adding that the mother had ingested drugs in a failed suicide attempt.
The investigation continues.
