2 dead in Des Moines shooting

Police are investigating a shooting that left two people dead in Des Moines.

Officers responded Wednesday morning to a report of a shooting on 4th Avenue South and South 213th Street.

Investigators said a family member called 911 around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday after checking on the home.

When police arrived, they found two people, a mother and son, dead in the yard. The woman, later identified as Paula Hudson, 83, suffered a gunshot wound to the head.

The man, later identified as MIchael Hudson, 63, died by suicide with a gunshot wound to the head.

A handgun was found in Michael Hudson's hand.

"The shooting may have occurred over 24 hours ago. Officers came around 10:30 this morning but it appears the shooting happened quite some time ago," said Commander Mike Graddon, with the Des Moines Police.

Neighbors say it's a quiet and close-knit community, but no one lived at the home where the crime happened. Several people said the lawn and home were primarily being used for storage, and that the man who died would come by once in a while to check on things.

"I've met him, helped him do a couple of things with his trailer, but generally very quiet, didn't wave," Mark Pelton, another neighbor said. "It's very upsetting," he said.

Another neighbor said she heard a noise that she thought could've been a gunshot yesterday.

"But it was earlier in the day and I couldn't be certain, and I didn't think anything of it," said Tricia Croom, who lives around the corner. "That makes me sad I didn't take any other action," she said.

Neighbors say they're thinking of the family impacted.

"I hope the family gets the help that they need to get through this traumatic event," Croom said.

#UPDATE: Des Moines PD is investigating the double fatal shooting here as a murder-suicide. Said it's a mother and her son. They don't know yet who shot the gun, but recovered the firearm on scene. @KIRO7Seattle pic.twitter.com/J9r2FxWZpV
— Deedee Sun (@DeedeeKIRO7) August 14, 2019