Kenyan man in US kills mother-in-law, self

A map showing Barrow County, Georgia in the US where a Kenyan man shot dead his mother-in-law before turning the gun on himself July 29, 2013. GOOGLE MAPS  

By BMJ MURIITHI in Atlanta and ANTHONY KARANJA in Dallas

A Kenyan man shot dead his mother-in-law on Monday night before turning the gun on himself in Barrow County, Georgia.

Ian Muriu, 33, who was a restaurant owner was found dead in his home after suffering gunshot wounds, which police believe to be self inflicted.

The body of Diana Freeman, 66, was also found with multiple gunshot wounds.

Barrow County Police responded to a distress call from Muriu's wife who reported that her husband had fired a weapon inside the couple's residence. 

Jennifer Muriu told police that she ran to a neighbour's  house but she did not know whether anyone was injured at the time.

"We immediately dispatched several police officers and Sheriff’s deputies to the scene but when they arrived at the Bethlehem subdivision, the two were already dead," said Barrow County Sheriff Lt Matt Guthas.

“At first, Mrs Muriu did not know if anyone had been hurt by the shooting,” the Sherrif said Tuesday in a statement to the Nation.

Mrs Muriu's mother was living with the couple at the time of the incident.

Authorities said investigations were on going to establish the motive.

“However, the indications at this point are that Ian Muriu shot and killed Diana Freeman, his mother-in-law, before turning the gun on himself and taking his own life.”

The Murius were co-owners of The Spitfire Restaurant at the Barrow County Airport, according to the restaurant’s Facebook page.

The incident comes barely two months after a Kenyan man in Indiana was shot dead by police after they found him stabbing his six-year-old daughter.

Edward Mwaura stabbed and killed his daughter after a domestic dispute. He stabbed his wife with a knife before she was able to escape and call the police.