In the early morning hours of February 23, 2016, a horrific scene unfolded at a home in Glendale, Arizona, resulting in the death of 49-year-old Kimberly Buckner and several of her family members. The tragedy began when police received a 911 call from inside the Buckner residence, with the caller reporting a shooting in progress.
Upon arrival, first responders found the house engulfed in flames. Inside, a devastating scene of violence had taken place.
Kimberly Buckner, her husband Vic, and their two daughters, 18-year-old Kaitlin and 6-year-old Emma, had all been shot by the couple's 26-year-old son, Alex Buckner. After shooting his family, Alex set the house on fire.
As police and firefighters attempted a rescue, Alex Buckner fired shots at them from within the burning home. Officers who entered the smoke-filled house were able to pull Kaitlin from the blaze, but she later died at a local hospital. The bodies of Kimberly and Vic Buckner were also found inside with gunshot wounds. The youngest victim, Emma, was discovered in a bedroom, also having been shot.
The suspect, Alex Buckner, was eventually located inside the residence, armed with a gun. Following a standoff, he was shot and killed by police. Family members later revealed that Alex suffered from severe mental illness, including schizophrenia, which they believe led to the tragic events. Friends and family gathered for a vigil to remember the victims, expressing their shock and sorrow over the loss of the loving family.
