TOWN OF CARLTON, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Orleans County Sheriff's Office is investigating a suspected murder-suicide in the Town of Carlton.
Deputies were called to Kendrick Road in the Town of Carlton on Sunday for reports of a suspicious vehicle parked in an orchard. Upon arrival, deputies say they located a vehicle approximately 75 feet from the roadway and located two people that were dead approximately 400 feet from the vehicle.
“It’s not a common thing, by any stretch in Orleans County, for us to come across such a horrible scene,” remarked Sheriff Christopher Bourke, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies identified the individuals as 39-year-old Henry Frank Spoon Jr. and his son, 14-year-old Shawn Spoon of Lockport. Shawn was a 9th grader at Lockport High School.
7 News Senior Reporter Eileen Buckley spoke with the Orleans County Sheriff about the investigation.
“We’re following up now with circumstances that led up to tragic event and including some other items that were left within two to three miles of the scene. Some electronic devices, phones, tablets and other items that belonged to Mr. Spoon,” described Sheriff Bourke.
Those devices will be analyzed at the forensic lab in Buffalo.
The following photos were provided to 7 News of Henry Frank Spoon, Jr.
Investigators say that based on evidence at the scene and autopsies by the Monroe County Medical Examiner's Office, it is suspected that Henry Frank Spoon Jr. attacked Shawn Spoon with a knife and shot him before he attempted to use the knife to injure himself and then shot himself.
“Sheriff, what if anything can you tell us about other family members who you've spoken with? Is there a wife?”, Buckley asked.
“There's a mother. We are in contact with her now. She lives in another state and she's making her way up here to meet with us — obviously, she wants to come up to the area and we will be interviewing her,” replied Sheriff Bourke.
Sheriff Bourke says Spoon had a past history with police involving mental health issues.
“He was a veteran and possibly he had contact with the VA in Buffalo. We're executing a search warrant there as well to see what records we can up with to help us piece this tragedy together,” noted Sheriff Bourke.
The area where the tragedy occurred is about a half-hour from Lockport.
“To figure out why in the world somebody would drive out to Orleans County, with their son, and do this horrible, horrible act,” Sheriff Bourke explained.
The Orleans County Sheriff's Office is working with several other agencies to learn more about the events leading up to the incident.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Investigator Colonna, Pahuta or Marsceill at the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office at (585) 589-5527.
For now, the sheriff says they hope in the days ahead they can discover more information.
“What led up to this? Was there a trigger? Was there something that happened that would have caused Mr. Spoon to set out on this path to this tragic event,” Sheriff Bourke explained.
If you or someone you know is in need of help, you can contact the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 and the 24-hour Crisis Services Hotline at (716) 834-3131.
The Lockport City School superintendent issued a letter to school families about the tragic incident involving their student Tuesday, April 4. The district is currently on Easter break, but when students return next week counselors will be available for students.
April 4, 2023
Dear Lockport City School District Community,
It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I write to inform you of the sudden passing of one of our Lockport High School students, Shawn Spoon. Local police recently contacted the district to report that Shawn had passed away.
The news of his passing is concerning to many members of our learning community. I, along with everyone else, share the sadness and grief surrounding Shawn’s passing. His potential was limitless and he will be greatly missed.
Given this information, we encourage you to talk with your child as needed as death impacts each of us in different ways. How children and teens react depends on the relationship they had with the person who has passed away, their age, and their prior experience with death.
Even if your child did not know this student, hearing about a young person’s death can trigger feelings of sadness, fear, and anger. A variety of reactions are normal as a part of the grief process. Some children appear unaffected. Some may ask questions while other children may withdraw, become moody, sad or depressed, become scared or have difficulty sleeping or eating. Some children may also have unresolved feelings that they would like to discuss with a parent or legal guardian. You can assist your child by listening carefully, not overreacting and accepting their feelings.
In an effort to assist parents and/or legal guardians, we are providing a list of resources in the event that you or your child need immediate support. These are all confidential help-lines with trained professionals ready to assist and support you.In addition, these services will be available for as long as our learning community needs. If you have questions, concerns, or feel that your child is in need of additional support, please don’t hesitate to contact us. With that said, please know that we will continue to work together as a learning community to support you and your child during this very challenging time.
- ● Text 988 for 24/7 for confidential support for people in suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress.
- ● Niagara County Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse: Call 716- 285-3515
- ● Buffalo General Hospital Mental Health: Call 716-859-4795
- ● Golisano Pediatric Behavioral Health and Wellness: Call 585-279-7800
Please also know that members of the district’s Crisis – Support Team, which includes: counselors, social workers and psychologists along with community mental health providers will also be on-site at Lockport High School when students return to school next week. Their goal will be to support students and staff who need to talk about their feelings. It should be noted, Crisis Support Team services will be provided at all of our other schools, where needed.
On behalf of the district, I offer my condolences and prayers to Shawn’s family, friends, teachers, support staff, and classmates.
Yours in Education,
Mathis Calvin III, Ed. D. Superintendent of Schools
