Fatal Shooting Investigation Continues for Greenland Police
By: Rebecca Jeffrey
Updated: January 11, 2013
"I've been Police Chief here for 21 years, this is only the second time that something like this has happened," Greenland Police Chief Gary Ricker said.
When police arrived at Elmwood Apartments on N. Main Street Thursday night they found three women shot. Betty Desalvo, 53, died at the scene. Denise Fulfer, 55, and Hope Patterson, 34, were also found shot. Patterson later died from her injuries.
"The gentleman we arrested, he shot his wife, his mother-in-law and his mother-in-laws sister," Ricker said.
Desalvo's body wasn't taken by the coroner until after 10 Friday morning.
"In this particular instance we wanted to make sure that we had all the T's crossed and I's dotted and we got a search warrant to actually come back in and do the body and the crime scene process."
Mandrake Patterson, 27, is behind bars facing charges of capital murder and attempted capital murder.
Ricker said this isn't officers first time being called out to the apartment.
"I've been to this apartment before on another member of the family that wasn't involved in this."
A 5th family member was inside the apartment at the time of the shooting. They're being interviewed by police as the investigation continues.
"This one's not going to be particularly long or complicated. I think we'll probably be done at the apartment sometime today here and take down all the tape and turn it back over to the people."
Turn it back, so this quiet town can return to normal.
"Generally Greenland is a nice, quiet, peaceful town," Ricker said.
Ricker said he hasn't yet determined if Patterson has a history of violence or what started this family dispute.
Patterson will be in court Monday. Bail has not yet been set.
When police arrived at Elmwood Apartments on N. Main Street Thursday night they found three women shot. Betty Desalvo, 53, died at the scene. Denise Fulfer, 55, and Hope Patterson, 34, were also found shot. Patterson later died from her injuries.
"The gentleman we arrested, he shot his wife, his mother-in-law and his mother-in-laws sister," Ricker said.
Desalvo's body wasn't taken by the coroner until after 10 Friday morning.
"In this particular instance we wanted to make sure that we had all the T's crossed and I's dotted and we got a search warrant to actually come back in and do the body and the crime scene process."
Mandrake Patterson, 27, is behind bars facing charges of capital murder and attempted capital murder.
Ricker said this isn't officers first time being called out to the apartment.
"I've been to this apartment before on another member of the family that wasn't involved in this."
A 5th family member was inside the apartment at the time of the shooting. They're being interviewed by police as the investigation continues.
"This one's not going to be particularly long or complicated. I think we'll probably be done at the apartment sometime today here and take down all the tape and turn it back over to the people."
Turn it back, so this quiet town can return to normal.
"Generally Greenland is a nice, quiet, peaceful town," Ricker said.
Ricker said he hasn't yet determined if Patterson has a history of violence or what started this family dispute.
Patterson will be in court Monday. Bail has not yet been set.
