Ethal Syretha Steele: North Carolina mom fatally shoots her 3 children, aged 9 to 14, before killing herself

Two girls and a boy were found shot by their mother inside a home in Winston-Salem

UPDATED APR 12, 2023

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

WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA: Tragedy struck when a mother and her three children were shot in an alleged murder-suicide on Tuesday, April 11. The incident occurred before noon at a peaceful suburban neighborhood in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, prompting law enforcement to rush to the disturbing scene.

Upon investigating the home, law enforcement discovered the lifeless body of Ethal Syretha Steele, who was 40 years old, along with her children - Sakenlo Shawn Steele Jr, 14, and her daughters Sakenya Syretha Steele, 12, and Sakendra Syann Steele, 9. Police stated that Ethal died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and her children also suffered fatal gunshot wounds.

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Ethal Syretha Steele killed her children before shooting herself

Authorities believe Ethal shot her children before taking her own life. Police were called to the scene at approximately 11.54 am, though the identity of the person they contacted is unknown. Later that afternoon, an unidentified man was seen crying outside the home.

Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough addressed onlookers gathered in the 3100 block of Brookhill Drive, describing the incident as a "sad situation." Although some neighbors spoke to local reporters about the Steeles' past behavior, members of Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough's team were reticent to divulge details about the alleged killings.

Ethal Syretha Steele was 'very reclusive'

The sudden and tragic loss of life in a normally peaceful and quiet community was a shock to the other residents. They described the cul-de-sac where the Steele family lived as safe and quiet, with a peaceful and serene atmosphere. The incident left the neighborhood reeling from the devastating news. An unnamed resident who spoke with the Winston-Salem Journal described the mother as "very reclusive," with her three school-age children who rarely ventured outside to play. "This is a quiet area, very quiet," another neighbor said.

Angela Terrill echoed the community's shock and bewilderment at the incident, "This happened in my neighborhood. You don't want to see this. You see this on the news, and it is another neighborhood. For it to happen here in our neighborhood is very concerning. It's close to home," reports Fox 8. None of the neighbors spoke about the children's father, and police were unable to determine if he was the person they called after the tragic incident.