Investigators have labeled the shooting deaths of a husband and wife at a Sun City West long-term care facility as a case of murder-suicide. But firearms are generally not allowed in these communities.
“Most companies have it in their lease that no firearms are permitted on campus,” said Karen Barno, the CEO of the Arizona Assisted Living Association of America. “It’s a company decision, but I'm going to say probably 99.9% of companies have a no-firearm policy within senior living.”
And that likely includes Grandview Terrace where the couple lived — though in separate areas.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Department says the 80-year-old female victim lived at the assisted living facility, while the suspected shooter, her 81-year-old husband, lived in another part of the property.
Still, this type of violence is not the norm, says Barno.
“It's extremely unusual, extremely rare … because [there are usually] not firearms on campus," she said.
A spokesperson told KJZZ that “the presumption is that he had it at his residence and brought it with him.”
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