Elderly Man Allegedly Shoots Wife and Daughter Dead Following Argument While Cleaning Gun

Hidden Killers With Tony Brueski | True Crime News & Commentary

In a shocking turn of events, a 76-year-old man stands accused of fatally shooting his wife and daughter following a heated argument in their Pennsylvania home. Roger Hanks was taken into custody Thursday night in East Marlborough Township after police discovered the bodies of his wife, Judith Hanks, 75, and his daughter, Emily Hanks, 37, according to the Chester County District Attorney’s office.
The tragic incident unfolded when Roger Hanks was reportedly cleaning his 9mm Smith & Wesson handgun at home around 3 p.m. An argument erupted between Hanks and his wife, Judith, during which she allegedly criticized him for not doing enough around the house and for not eating the food she prepared. Charging documents reveal that tensions escalated, with Roger allegedly pointing the handgun at his wife, threatening to harm her.
At one point during the argument, he allegedly told his wife, “If you keep up, this thing is going to go off on you.”
As their dispute continued, Roger Hanks allegedly pointed the handgun at her, telling her “if she did not shut and leave him alone he was going to ‘plug’ her.”
The situation took a deadly turn when the gun discharged, fatally striking Judith Hanks in the chest. Emily Hanks, witnessing her mother's collapse, reportedly became enraged. Roger Hanks claimed his daughter approached him aggressively, leading him to point the gun at her chest, which resulted in another fatal shot being fired.
After the horrific incident, Roger Hanks allegedly confessed to a neighbor, who promptly alerted the authorities. Responding officers took him into custody without further incident. Court records indicate that Roger Hanks has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and related offenses.
Medical personnel arrived at the scene in an attempt to save Judith and Emily Hanks, but tragically, both were pronounced dead.
The alleged murderous father then seemingly boasted to police that he was “best of the best” when it came to shooting — adding that he often shoots competitions, according to the outlet.
"[Hanks] senselessly shot and killed his family because of a basic dispute," District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe said in a press release announcing the charges. "It is unfathomable that anyone would react this way. I want to thank the Pennsylvania State Police who acted quickly and arrested the defendant after being dispatched to the scene."
He is currently being held at the Chester County Prison without bail.
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