Three people were found dead inside a College Hill home after a man barricaded himself inside the home, according to Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge.
Police have identified the victims as 78-year-old Patricia McCollum, 32-year old DJ McCollum, and 11-year-old Kaydence McCollum.
According to Cincinnati Enquirer Patricia was a foster mom and her adopted son, DJ, was disabled.
“Either I die first, or he does,” she said. “I will never separate from him,” Patricia told the Enquirer in 2012.
District officials with Cincinnati Public Schools say 11-year old Kaydence McCollum was a student at Parker Woods Montessori School.
“We recognize this tragic event, and our sympathy and support remain with the family, friends and school community. The District’s Crisis Response Team will be at the school tomorrow to provide support to students,” officials said.
Officers were called to a home on Springbrook Drive near the Montevista Drive intersection around 8:30 a.m. Thursday. for “unknown trouble,” Cincinnati Police Lt. Jonathan Cunningham explained.
When police arrived, they were told a man armed with a knife was inside the home, according to the lieutenant.
SWAT was called when the armed man “retreated” in.
Chief Theetge said negotiations lasted for several hours before a team went inside.
Inside the home, Chief Theetge said they found the three victims dead with what they think appeared to be fatal stab wounds.
The suspect was found alive with self-inflicted knife wounds inside the Springbrook Drive home, the chief explained.
Police have identified him as 66-year-old Anthony Mathis.
He later died at UC Medical Center, according to police.
Chief Theetge did not say if the victims and suspect are related.