A Rhode Island man with a history of violent relationships fatally shot his pregnant wife and their two young children before turning the gun on himself in their West Greenwich home, police said.
Nicholas Arruda, 39, used a semiautomatic weapon to kill his wife Danielle, 39, their five-year-old daughter Adele, and two-year-old son Felex. He then died from a single gunshot to the head. Danielle was seven months pregnant, bringing the total number of deaths to five.
Police discovered the bodies on January 3 after Danielle's coworkers requested a welfare check when she failed to show up for work. Officers forced entry into the home and found all four victims lying on the floor in their pyjamas, with no signs of struggle. The back door was blocked, and the front door was locked from inside with a chain latch.
An M4-type semiautomatic weapon was found near Nicholas's body, along with a shotgun and another semiautomatic rifle, all believed to have been legally purchased. Police said there were no prior reports of domestic issues at the home.
Nicholas's brother, Jesse Arruda, called the act 'the most cowardly despicable act one could perpetrate.' Neighbours described the family as quiet and said they heard nothing unusual. The shooting is believed to have occurred between 8pm on New Year's Day and 5:20am on January 2.
