Florida Mom Kills 4 Kids, Then Self

Detectives are no closer to understanding motive

A mother killed her 4 children, most of them teenagers, before turning the gun on herself yesterday morning, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

After hearing gunfire nearby, neighbors heard a knock at their door and opened it to see 3 of the kids, one shot and wounded.

The Brevard County neighbors called 911, but by the time police arrived, 33-year-old Tonya Thomas, had summoned her children back to the house.

Despite the neighbors' protest, the children obliged.

[ALSO READ: 4 Young Moms Killed in Chicago Car Crash]

The couple then called 911, but by the time police arrived, Pebbles Johnson, 17, was stretched out in the front yard, motionless. She was later pronounced dead when authorities attempted to bring her to waiting paramedics.

Police were also present to hear the shots that killed Joel, Jazzlyn and Jaxs Johnson. They were 12, 13 and 15.

Lt. Tod Goodyear, a sheriff's spokesman, said Thomas sent a text message to a family friend asking them to tell Thomas's mother what happened and saying she wanted to be cremated along with her children. But the friend didn't see the note until after the shootings.

Goodyear said the house was known as "problematic" by neighbors, who said many arguments and disturbances originated there. The kids' father moved out a few months ago. The boys were known for causing criminal mischief in the community.

[SUBSCRIBE TO LOOP 21 RSS FEED]