By Leada Gore
Two people who died in a Christmas Eve murder-suicide have been identified by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.
Rodney Gardner, 41, and his son, Caleb Gardner, 14, were found dead on Christmas Eve in their home on Bermuda Lakes Drive in New Market in Madison County.
According to the sheriff’s department, father and son were in an argument in a bedroom when the son shot the father with a handgun before turning the gun on himself.
Deputies said a 16-year-old sister called and reported that her father and brother were arguing in a bedroom in the family’s home just before noon on December 24. MCSO said the girl ran from the home after hearing gunshots.
Responding Madison County deputies discovered two bodies with gunshot wounds in the same room.
“Death of a loved one is always difficult for the rest of the family, but to lose both a father and son at the same time is heart- breaking. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family as well as our Deputies and other first responders who had to investigate this horrible incident,” said Madison County Sheriff Kevin Turner in a statement.