'We’re not conditioned to bury children': Cops horrified after man kills sons, 5 and 6, and daughter, 11

The suspect, 42-year-old Charles Slacks Jr, allegedly carried out the shootings at his ex-wife's home around 10 pm
UPDATED MAR 23, 2023
Police were at a loss of words after the horrifying murder-suicide carried out by Charles Slacks Jr (Representational image/Getty Images)
Police were at a loss of words after the horrifying murder-suicide carried out by Charles Slacks Jr (Representational image/Getty Images)

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA: Charles Slacks Jr, 42, shot and killed another soldier, 38, who worked with his ex-wife, in a murder-suicide. Slacks also killed his own children — 5-year-old Aayden Holliday-Slacks, his 6-year-old brother Aason Holliday-Slacks, and their half-sister, 11-year-old Ava Holliday.

Later, Slacks turned the gun to him, pulled the trigger, and killed himself. Slacks and the woman were divorced. However, he still had the keys to their home and barged into the house at 10 pm. The ex-husband went upstairs, and the woman ran to the spot after hearing the gunshots.

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What are the comments from the police chief?

“We’re not conditioned to bury children. He put the weapon to his head and committed suicide,” Sumter Police Chief Russell Roark said. “Little children sleeping in their own bed.... lives taken by a father and a stepfather, that’s difficult to rationalize." He then added, “This could happen in any community... in any family setting, unfortunately."  Meanwhile, Sumter County School District Superintendent Dr. William Wright said, “Sumter School District is grieving the loss of three students. Two siblings attended Millwood Elementary School, and another sibling attended Alice Drive Middle School. Our sincere condolences are extended to the family. Our hearts are filled with sadness, and we will continue to lend support to one another during this time." Roark has also mentioned that the investigation is still in the initial stage. Autopsies are to be held from Thursday to Saturday at MUSC in Charleston, as per The State.

Sumter Police Chief ( Sumter Police Department)
Russell F Roark is the Sumter Police Chief (Sumter Police Department)

Who is Charles Slacks Jr?

Slacks Jr was a civilian assigned to US Army Central at Shaw Air Force Base. He worked in ammunition logistics at the Air Force base as a Defense Department civilian and served in the Army from 1999-2006. However, there are claims that he had PTSD. A Twitter user wrote, "Charles Slacks Jr was an Afghanistan vet. He had to kill a child soldier. He had PTSD and the cheating situation left him vulnerable to this happening. RIP to those poor kids and him. We got so much healing to do as a nation." However, this claim is unverified and unconfirmed.



 

'Why don't these fu**ers always start with themselves?'

The Internet had quick reactions to the news. A user wrote, "Ex-Military, still had the keys to his ex-wifes place. Went in to the backyard and shot a co-worker who was also there but he wasn’t in a relationship with the wife? That was unclear. He goes upstairs and yeh. And then shoot’s himself. Probably going to be lots of red flags in the aftermath of this story. Tragic either way. Hold your kids a little tighter tonight." "Wow, imagine hating your ex wife so much you kill your innocent children to ruin the rest of her life. That poor woman.," said a user. A comment read, "You can chalk killing the wife or her probable lover as a jealous rage but I don't know how one can go about killing their own innocent kids in such a violent manner smh." Another claimed, "Guns make America great." "Why don't these fu**ers always start with themselves?," asked a user.

Netizens started pouring their opinion on the case (ReddIt/ Constant- Elevator-85)
Netizens started pouring their opinion on the case (ReddIt/Constant- Elevator-85)
'That poor woman' claimed a user (ReddIt/ Scoutster 13)
'That poor woman' claimed a user (ReddIt/Scoutster 13)
'Such a violent manner' (ReddIt screenshot/smkAce0921)
'Such a violent manner' (ReddIt screenshot/smkAce0921)
A user complained about gun use in America (ReddIt/ GarlicBreadRules)
A user complained about gun use in America (ReddIt/GarlicBreadRules)
Netizens had varying opinions on this case (ReddIt/SsurebreC)
Netizens had varying opinions on this case (ReddIt/SsurebreC)

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

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