Tonya Thomas is seen in a 2002 booking mug provided by the Brevard County, Fla., Sheriff’s Office. Authorities say Thomas, 33, shot and killed her four children before killing herself on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 in Port St. John, Fla. The children ranged in age from 12 to 17. (AP Photo/Brevard County Sheriff’s Office)KYLE HIGHTOWER
PORT ST. JOHN, Fla. (AP) – In the middle of the night, Tonya Thomas’ neighbors awoke to the sound of a gunshot and moments later heard a knock on their door.
Three of Thomas’ four children were outside, including one who appeared to have been shot. Before the neighbors could offer help, Thomas came out of her house and called the children back home.
They complied. The neighbors dialed 911 after hearing more gunshots.
Brevard County Sheriff’s deputies found Thomas, 33, dead of an apparent self-inflicted wound and three of her children – Jaxs Johnson, 15; Jazzlyn Johnson, 13; and Joel Johnson, 12 – were fatally shot inside the house. A fourth child, Pebbles Johnson, 17, was found shot to death in the front yard of a neighbor’s house.