HAUBSTADT, Ind. (TCN) — A man stands accused of fatally shooting his wife, mother-in-law, and stepson, and injuring another stepchild last week.
On the evening of May 29, the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of shots fired on South Scottsdale Drive. According to WEVV-TV, the suspect, 77-year-old Patrick Waite, called 911 and admitted to shooting the victims.
Authorities took Waite into custody and searched the home, where they reportedly found Waite’s wife, 61-year-old Alma Waite, as well as his mother-in-law, 81-year-old Gloria Tapia, deceased. Officials also discovered Alma Waite’s son, 39-year-old Fernando Ramirez Sr., fatally shot.
According to the sheriff’s office, a fourth victim, identified by WEVV as Alma Waite’s other son, 44-year-old Juan Ramirez Jr., sustained critical injuries. He was flown to a hospital for treatment.
Per an affidavit reviewed by WEVV, Patrick Waite and his wife had been married for approximately two years and were recently discussing separation, but Waite said he didn’t want a divorce. Waite reportedly told authorities that his wife was upset with him because he went to Bible study instead of helping with Tapia, who required a caregiver.
Waite also allegedly said his wife filed a quitclaim deed to put the residence in someone else’s name, but the suspect told her he refused to leave because he had lived there for 27 years. According to the affidavit, Waite said he then shot his wife. Following the shooting, Waite allegedly told officials he heard his wife’s sons, and he shot them as well.
Waite told investigators, “I’m as guilty as guilty can be,” adding, “I shot them all. I’m certainly not proud of that fact at all,” WEVV reports.
Waite was booked into the Gibson County Jail on a murder charge.
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