DA: Father suspected as gunman in Berks Co. murder suicide

READING, Pa. (WTXF) - Authorities in Berks County addressed the public regarding the death of an entire Berks County Family earlier this month in an apparent murder suicide. They now believe the father was responsible for the murders.

Police found Mark Short Sr., Megan Short and the married couple's three children -- 8-year-old Lianna, 5-year-old Mark Jr. and 2-year-old Willow -- fatally shot on Aug. 6 in apparent murder-suicide at the family's Sinking Spring home.

Investigators said in a press conference Monday that a handwritten suicide note found on the dining room table matched the handwriting of Mark Short Sr.

It is believed the letter was written after the murders were committed, according to the District Attorney, and the handwriting matched that of Mark Short Sr., and the note admitted to buying the gun, and committing the homicides.

The coroner also revealed that an autopsy of Mr. Short revealed a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Authorities had previously said the couple had experienced domestic issues in the past, and confirmed Monday that police had been called to the home on July 18 th . The DA says officers advised Megan Short how to get a protection from abuse order, but she chose not to.

Mark Short legally purchased a .38 caliber, five shot handgun on July 19 th from a licensed dealer in Lancaster County.

Neighbors say Megan Short had posted on social media before her death that she planned to leave her husband, and investigators confirmed that Megan had leased an apartment in Yardley in late July.

Megan was planning on moving her belongings to the apartment on the morning of August 6th, and family was waiting for her at the apartment that morning, according to the DA. One of the family members contacted a neighbor after Megan failed to show up, and a neighbor was unable to contact anyone at the home, and Megan's mother contacted police.

On August 5th a day before the fatal incident, Mark took all three of his children to Hersheypark.

A funeral Mass for the family was held Friday.

The family's dog was also shot and killed in the shooting.