Roger Hanks: Pennsylvania man shoots wife and daughter dead in alcohol-fueled rage after dispute over gun cleaning

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA: Roger Hanks, 76, of Chester County, Pennsylvania, stands accused of shooting and killing his wife and daughter following a heated argument over gun safety.

Hanks was arrested at his mansion on Thursday evening, April 25, and charged with first-degree murder.

Roger Hanks reveals details of deadly confrontation while cleaning his gun

Reports indicate that police were called to the Hanks' residence on Wiltshire Drive following a distress call. Upon their arrival, they found the lifeless bodies of Judith Hanks, 75, and her daughter Emily Hanks, 37.

Hanks purportedly confessed to the crime, disclosing that the altercation arose while he was cleaning his firearm and consuming alcohol earlier in the day. Allegedly, he warned Judith that the gun might discharge if she continued to discuss gun safety.

What triggered Roger Hanks?

"if you keep up, this thing is going to go off on you," Hanks said.

According to documents, he purportedly aimed the gun at his wife and warned her that "if she did not shut and leave him alone, he was going to 'plug' her," as reported by the Daily Mail. Sadly, the situation escalated, resulting in Hanks fatally shooting his wife.

The chaos continued as Emily, witnessing her mother's demise, reportedly "went into a rage," prompting Hanks to turn the gun on her as well.

Hanks claimed that his shooting skills, of which he boasted to law enforcement, asserting he is "the best of the best" when it comes to shooting firearms, somehow contributed to the fatal outcome.

 

Roger Hanks admits to drinking before the tragedy

The harrowing incident underscores the devastating consequences of domestic disputes heightened by the presence of alcohol and firearms. Hanks informed the police that he had consumed two German beers and Irish whiskey earlier on the day of the tragic incident.

Furthermore, police recovered the weapon and shell casings from the scene, further corroborating Hanks' confession.

Who was Emily Hanks?

Emily, a graduate of the University of Miami and a consulting director for a risk management firm in Chicago, leaves behind a promising career and shattered dreams.

Her close relationship with her mother, as depicted on social media, underscores the heartbreaking loss suffered by the Hanks family and their community.

Netizens raise concerns and doubts surrounding Roger Hanks' actions and character

A user said, "I guarantee you this was not the first time he threatened his wife or daughter with our without the gun. Someone who decides to clean their gun after drinking whiskey and beer all day, is not a person who should own a gun. He’s disturbed and his family deserved better; his daughter must have been absolutely horrified in her last moments."

Another added, "It was he who told the police what happened. We'll never know if he's telling the true story or not."

"Loved his guns more than his family," a user claimed.

"And this is why some people that have guns shouldn’t have guns. I guarantee you he thought he was A man that control his guns," stated one more user.

"The gun did not go off. He pulled the trigger twice. He shot them both point blank. Beloved, not so much," read a comment.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.