(Garfield Heights, Ohio) - A 29 year old man is now in custody, after he allegedly shot and murdered two teenage children of his live-in girlfriend at their home in Garfield Heights. Matthew Nicholson is being charged with two counts of Murder and three counts of Domestic Violence. Nicholson finally surrendered to police after a four hour standoff, in which he was armed and was wearing body armour.
The victims were 19 year old Giselle Lopez and her 17 year old brother, Manuel Lopez. The suspect is not the father of the victims. Police say Manuel may have tried to intervene during a domestic dispute between Nicholson and the mother, America Polanco. She suffered minor injuries.
The bodies of the two teenagers were found in the driveway of the home by police. Manuel died at the scene, Gizelle died later in the day after emergency surgery at Metro Health Hospital.
Nicholson's surrender was the result of long, three way phone conversations between the suspect, his mother and a Lieutenant with the Garfield Heights department. The department announced details regarding the suspect at a press conference Thursday afternoon.
Photos: Courtesy of Ken Robinson
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