1987 – July 11-12, man shoots parents, in-laws, wife, 2 children, himself, Federal Way, WA–8

–8 Blanco, Juan Ignacio. Murderpedia. “Daniel Patrick Lynam.” Accessed 2-11-2022.
–8 Klahn, Jim. “Eight Die in Multiple Homicide, Suicide.” Associated Press, 7-13-1987.
–8 Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, WA. “Police probe continues into shooting of family.” 7-13-1987, 5.

Narrative Information

July 13: “Federal Way, Wash. (AP) — A man described as a loner by neighbors methodically shot to death his parents, his parents-in-law, his wife and their two small children before killing himself, police said. There was no explanation for the shootings at three homes, which may have begun as early as Friday, said police in Kings County and Tacoma. The gunman was identified Sunday as 36-year-old Daniel Patrick Lynam, 36, by the King County medical examiner’s office.

“An unidentified man who said he was Lynam’s brother alerted police on Saturday that Lynam had killed people, and said Lynam had a history of mental illness, said King County police spokesman Dick Larson. When police arrived at their home here, Lynam warned them to stay back, saying ‘I don’t want to hurt you,’ Larson said.

“About 10 minutes later, they heard a noise. They entered the red, ranch- style home to find Lynam, his wife, 2-year-old daughter and 5-week-old son dead of gunshot wounds, Larson said. He said Lynam apparently killed himself. There was no sign of a struggle, Larson said.

“Police found the bodies of Lynam’s parents and in-laws Saturday night at their separate residences in north Tacoma, about 10 miles south of here.

“A .38-caliber handgun was believed to be the murder weapon, police said.

“Lynam’s parents and in-laws were shot in the head while sitting, said Pierce County Medical Examiner Emmanuel Lacsina. The Halls were in their 60s or early 70s, he said. Lacsina identified the parents as 74-year-old Thomas Lynam and 66-year-old Francis Lynam and the in-laws as Jack and Willie Mae Hall, in their 60s or early 70s.

“Autopsies on Daniel Lynam and his family were scheduled today, said Pago Olson of the King County medical examiner’s office.

“Vaughn Van Zandt, an investigator with the medical examiner’s office, identified Lynam’s wife as Linda Jean Lynam, 34, and their children as Jason, 5 weeks, and Shaina, 2.

“Authorities were called to the Halls’ apartment by a neighbor who was suspicious because rock music had been playing there through Friday night and Saturday, said Fire Lt. Clyde Nihipali.

“About two hours later, Tacoma police received a call from a woman in Olympia who said she was related to the elder Lynams, and asked police to check on them, said Tacoma Police Sgt. Steve Smith.

“The parents lived in a home on a bluff overlooking Tacoma’s Commencement Bay, while the Halls lived in a condominium about three miles away.

“Daniel Lynam had been treated for mental illness, but his mother never expressed fears she might be in danger, said Lorraine Reha, who had known the family for nearly 40 years.

“Neighbors in Federal Way said the Lynams exchanged waves and smiles but generally kept to themselves. An owner of the Halls’ condominium described Daniel and Linda Lynam as born-again Christians.

“Linda Lynam worked in the radiology department at Tacoma General Hospital, said Margaret Allen, a friend of the family.

“Neighbor Craig Ralstin said Lynam was cold and withdrawn, ‘kind of a loner’ who stayed home during the day while his wife worked.

“Jane Adamson, who lives across the street, said she saw Lynam go into his house and use the telephone after police arrived. ‘Then there was a scream and then a shot. And that was the end of it,’ Ms. Adamson said. ‘There was no shouting. There was no big noise. You could barely hear the shot.’” (Klahn, Jim. “Eight Die in Multiple Homicide, Suicide.” Associated Press, 7-13-1987.

Sources

Blanco, Juan Ignacio. Murderpedia. “Daniel Patrick Lynam.” Accessed 2-11-2022 at: https://murderpedia.org/male.L/l/lynam-daniel.htm

Klahn, Jim. “Eight Die in Multiple Homicide, Suicide.” Associated Press, 7-13-1987. Accessed 2-11-2022 at: https://apnews.com/article/b0e0fb7b15871845b2bcf111d53a6c0c

Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, WA. “Police probe continues into shooting of family.” 7-13-1987, p. 5. Accessed 2-11-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/walla-walla-union-bulletin-jul-13-1987-p-5/