Two dead in apparent murder-suicide

VIENNA — The Vienna Police Department is investigating an apparent murder-suicide involving an elderly Vienna couple found dead in their home Saturday morning.

Vienna Police Chief Steve Stephens said police were dispatched at 8:21 a.m. Saturday to a residence at 607 32nd St. in Vienna in reference to a suicide shooting call. Upon arrival, officers discovered an apparent homicide/suicide with two victims, he said.

The victims were identified as Thomas E. Johnson, 74, and Elsie V. Johnson, 73. Stephens said it appears Thomas Johnson shot his wife with a firearm and then himself. Both of the victims had health issues, he said.

Stephens said the bodies were discovered by a family member making a scheduled visit to the home to check on the couple. The incident had apparently occurred some hours before discovery, but the exact time is still to be determined, he said.

The bodies are being sent to the West Virginia State Medical Examiner’s Office for further investigation. The case remains under investigation by the Vienna Police Department, Stephens said.