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Questions remain after apparent murder-suicide in South Richmond

Posted at 11:53 PM, Apr 21, 2013
and last updated 2013-04-21 23:53:47-04

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) -- Police have released the names of the two people killed in an apparent murder-suicide Saturday afternoon in South Richmond.

Richmond police said Christine Squire, 33, and Clarence Taylor II, 38 were found dead inside a home in the 3900 block of Rusk Avenue after a four-hour standoff that wounded two police officers.

The two officers were discharged from the hospital and are expected to make a full recovery.

The Squire family told CBS 6 News' Joe St. George Sunday night that they know Christine is in a better place, but are desperately searching for answers.

The family spent an emotional night removing clothes and children's toys from the home at the center of standoff with police. Family members fought back tears not only from grief, but from the remnants of teargas used by police.

Neighbors like Nadaira Bouie were just as confused as investigators about what happened.

"I heard the gun shots and the gas bombs and… this is usually a quiet neighborhood we are not used to any of that," Bouie said.

Neighbors are left wondering what happened.

The current theory from police is that 38-year-old Taylor shot 33-year-old Squire. Richmond police when officers arrived, Taylor then shot and wounded two cops before turning the gun on himself.

"I couldn't quite believe it was happening to tell you the truth," said Doc White, who just moved to the neighborhood five days ago. "I had stepped out the front door and they said get back in the house get back in the house."

White described how a police sniper took cover behind his bush at the height of the standoff.

"He was laid prone. He took cover with the assault rifle right here so he had a great shot," said White.

Neighbors are sad about what happened, but grateful the injured officers have been released from the hospital and that the children who usually live in this home were somewhere else when it happened.

"At least they could be safe because they have their whole life ahead of them," said Bouie.

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