Man kills his girlfriend, then self in Sandusky

7/29/2007

SANDUSKY A man shot and killed his girlfriend, then turned the gun on himself late Friday in a city park as a policeman who was attempting to question them witnessed the shooting.

Larry Barnett, Jr., 25, and Rachelle Baskey, 24, were pronounced dead at the scene of the apparent murder-suicide, which occurred in Lions Park on the west side of Sandusky, police said yesterday. Sandusky is about 55 miles east of Toledo.

Police said the dead man and the woman were possibly homeless and recently unemployed. Officers said they have spoken with the families of Mr. Barnett and Ms. Baskey, but further details about them were unavailable. Autopsies are pending.

The shootings occurred about 10:30 p.m. at the end of Lasalle Street on a shoreline that runs along the north side of the park, which abuts Lake Erie.

An officer on a call at the park saw the pair sitting along the lakeshore. As the unnamed officer approached the duo and tried to question them about being in the park after closing time, Mr. Barnett reportedly pulled out a gun and shot Ms. Baskey once in the head. He then shot himself in the head, police said. The officer attempted to help the victims while calling for medical assistance and additional help.