Christopher Wood, 51, bought the shotgun he used to kill his 14-year-old daughter Ava and himself just two weeks before the tragedy, including one just two days before the shooting.
Despite previous run-ins with the law, the dad was able to legally purchase the weapon in New York as he had no conviction recorded.
Wood was involved in a stalking incident against his estranged wife Heather in March 2022, although she did not press charges against him.
He also sent his ex several abusive and harassing text messages days before the murder-suicide and made a distressing phone call the night before the tragedy.
‘This is how it ends,’ he warned her on the eve of the murder-suicide.
Wood was able to legally purchase the shotgun as he was never convicted of a crime and was not a felony offender.
In New York state, a gun permit is not required to purchase a shotgun or rifle outside New York City.
Sheriff Toby Shelley told CNY Central that the gruesome crime scene was ‘one of the most challenging’ of his 29-year career.
Police discovered the tragic murder-suicide on Friday morning after Ava’s mother called for a welfare check to her husband’s home, as she was concerned when Ava didn’t turn up for class at Durgee Junior High School in Baldwinsville, New York.
Heather reported that there were cars in the home’s driveway but no answer at the door, according to dispatchers, despite knowing her daughter was at home with her father.
Ava was found in her bedroom with a bullet wound to the head, while her father’s body was found in a nearby bedroom alongside the shotgun.
Baldwinsville Police Chief Michael Lefancheck said: ‘The gunshot to Mr. Wood does appear to be self-inflicted.’
Ava was an honor roll student and was involved at her high-school, especially in athletics and soccer.
Her social media accounts paint the picture of a carefree, fun-loving teenager who enjoyed sports and spending time with friends.
