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Fight between brother, sister leads to murder, suicide in early morning hours

ALLEGHENY TOWNSHIP — A fight between a brother and sister ended with both of them dead early Wednesday morning in Allegheny Township, Westmoreland County, police said.

Karen Dufford, 62, was shot by her brother, John Dufford, 59, who then turned the gun on himself, according to authorities.

Police said this happened about 2 a.m. at their mother’s home along Route 356, near Towne Center Drive.

“The prayers go out to them. Even though I don’t know them, you don’t want that to happen to anybody,” Stephanie Principe, who lives nearby, told Channel 11.

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Investigators said the man initially left the house after the fight. He later returned and shot his sister inside the home, then shot himself outside when police arrived.

Police and a coroner were at the scene for several hours investigating.

“It’s a tragic situation. It’s not what most people think as far as a traditional domestic you get dispatched to,” Allegheny Township Police Chief Duane Fisher said.

Police said there’s a history of mental illness and substance abuse that may have played a role in the incident.