Troy Ryan Bellar Shoots and Kills Wife, Wendy Bellar, Two Sons Zack, 5 Months and Ryan, 7, While Third Son, Nathan, Runs to Neighbor's Home

Polk County Sheriff's Department

Another murder-suicide to report this morning. Lakeland, Fl., resident Troy Ryan Bellar, 34, shot and killed his wife Wendy, two of his sons, Zack James Bellar, five months and Ryan Patrick Bellar, seven, before killing himself in the front of their home last night. Another son, Nathan, 13, was reportedly pursued through the garage by his father, but ran to safety at a neighbor's house.

Investigators believe Troy Ryan Bellar, 34, and his wife, Wendy Bellar, 31, were in a domestic dispute about 9:30 p.m. at their home in Lakeland, located between Tampa and Orlando.

According to police deputies, when the wife tried to leave the home with two of the children, deputies said Bellar opened fire with a 7.62 mm rifle and killed all three in the front porch area. Police Chief Scott Wilder said the husband had been arrested twice in the county: on suspicion of aggravated assault in 1994 and suspicion of driving under the influence in 1999. Wendy Bellar was arrested in March on suspicion of domestic battery.

The man seems to have been a ticking time bomb and it is unfortunate that his wife and children lost their lives so senselessly. He has a criminal history and it is a real shame that he was able to get his hands on a gun.