PLANT CITY, Fla. — Plant City Police Chief Richard Mills Jr. released findings in the quadruple-death investigation from May 3.
During a press conference on Aug. 13, Chief Mills Jr. said their investigative findings led them to determine that Hailey Dempsey shot and killed her mother, two children, and herself on May 3.
WATCH: Plant City mother shoots 2 children, grandmother in murder-suicide on May 3
Investigators said Dempsey shot her mother inside the home. She then left the house and went outside with her three kids, where she shot her 4-year-old and 4-month-old. Police said she then attempted to shoot her 2-year-old but missed. Then Dempsey shot herself.
The two children, a 4-month-old and 4-year-old, were pronounced dead at the scene. Dempsey was taken to the hospital and later died from her injuries.
Chief Mills Jr. said he can only go based on facts, so he can not confirm a motive in this case. Based on digital evidence, Mills Jr. said there are "indications of mental illness" in Dempsey.
Police said they are legal gun owners and there were multiple guns in the house.
The attorney for Jay Dempsey, Hailey's husband, sent the following statement:
This announcement, while expected/waited for some time now, still hurts bitterly.
There are possible words to say about those who would bear false witness, and essential processes that were ignored. Words and actions based in misinformation, that sought anger and escalation.
But our Family seeks what is good. We seek hope and life.
What we can say IS good is that finally, after months of anxious waiting, our beloved child has come home.
We profusely thank the foster family who came alongside our daughter during this time. K.D. is Vibrant and Full of life: a demonstration of love and care.
We give thanks and blessing over the Brothers and Sisters who rushed to help the Dempsey Family in our desperate hour of need. The aftershock and pain is something no one can suffer alone. But we are not alone.
Respect our family privacy; during this time we seek healing and hope. All of us are having to cope with massive loss that no one should.
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