How Christopher Zanski Killed His Children and Himself in Glenelg: A Story of Domestic Violence

On Sunday, January 14, 2024, a shocking and heartbreaking incident took place in Glenelg, a rural community in Howard County, Maryland. A man killed his two teenage children and then shot himself in an apparent murder-suicide. The victims were identified as Christopher Zanski, 42, Braden Zanski, 17, and Hailey Zanski, 15. They all lived in the same house on the 14000 block of Triadelphia Road, where the police found their bodies with gunshot wounds.

The police were called to the scene around 11 p.m. for a welfare check, after a relative of the family reported that they had not heard from them for a while. When the officers arrived, they had to force their way into the house, where they discovered the horrific scene. They pronounced all three dead at the scene.

The police said that there were no signs of a struggle or a break-in, and that they believe that Christopher Zanski shot and killed his children before turning the gun on himself. They also said that there were no indications that anyone else was involved in the incident, and that the motive is still unknown.

A Devastated Community

The news of the murder-suicide shocked and saddened the community of Glenelg, where the Zanski family lived. Neighbors, friends, and relatives expressed their disbelief and grief over the loss of the father and his children, who were described as kind, friendly, and loving.

Keith White, a neighbor who lived across the street from the Zanskis, said that he had known them for about 10 years, and that they were a nice and normal family. He said that he often saw Christopher Zanski playing with his kids in the yard, and that he had no idea what could have driven him to commit such a terrible act.

“Who does that to their kids? It’s just the worst thing I have ever heard,” White said.

The Christopher children were students at Glenelg High School, where they were popular and well-liked by their peers and teachers. Braden Zanski was a junior, and Hailey Zanski was a sophomore. Braden Zanski also attended the Automotive Technology Academy at the Howard County Public School System Applications and Research Laboratory.

Shawn Hastings-Hauf, the principal of Glenelg High School, sent a letter to the families of the school, informing them of the tragic deaths of the Zanski siblings. He said that the school was putting a range of support in place for the staff, students, and families impacted by the unexpected losses, and that counselors would be available for anyone who needed them.

“We are shocked and saddened by this terrible news and will be putting a range of support in place for the staff, students, and families impacted by these unexpected losses,” Hastings-Hauf said.

He also said that the death of any member of the school community was a loss, and that the unexpected deaths of two of the students who were siblings was especially difficult to understand or accept. He said that both students and adults may struggle with managing their feelings and reactions to the news, and that he encouraged them to reach out for help if they needed it.

“The death of any member of our school community is a loss, and the unexpected deaths of two of our students who are siblings is especially difficult to understand or accept,” Hastings-Hauf said. “Both students and adults may struggle with managing their feelings and reactions to this news. Even if your child did not know Hailey or Braden, they may be impacted by this sad news.”

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A Call for Action

The murder-suicide in Glenelg is not an isolated incident, but a part of a larger and disturbing trend of domestic violence and gun violence in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2022, there were 19,379 firearm-related homicides and 24,156 firearm-related suicides in the country. Of those, 1,295 homicides and 730 suicides involved children and teens under the age of 18.

Moreover, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), in 2022, there were 1,686 women and 487 men killed by their intimate partners in the country, and 63% of those cases involved firearms. Of those, 189 women and 58 men were killed along with their children by their intimate partners, and 86% of those cases involved firearms.

These statistics show that domestic violence and gun violence are serious and urgent public health and safety issues that need to be addressed and prevented. Many experts and advocates have called for action to reduce the risk factors and increase the protective factors for these types of violence, such as:

• Strengthening the laws and policies that regulate the access and use of firearms, especially for those who have a history of domestic violence, mental illness, substance abuse, or criminal activity .
• Enhancing the screening and reporting of domestic violence and suicidal behavior by health care providers, law enforcement officers, social workers, and other professionals who interact with potential victims and perpetrators .
• Providing comprehensive and accessible services and support for the survivors and witnesses of domestic violence and gun violence, such as counseling, shelter, legal aid, and financial assistance .
• Educating the public and raising awareness about the signs and consequences of domestic violence and gun violence, and encouraging the bystanders and community members to intervene and help when they see or hear something suspicious or alarming .
• Promoting the values and skills of nonviolence, conflict resolution, empathy, and respect in families, schools, workplaces, and society at large .

By taking these actions, we can hope to prevent more tragedies like the one that happened in Glenelg, and save more lives from the senseless and preventable violence that plagues our nation.

Conclusion

The murder-suicide in Glenelg, Maryland, that claimed the lives of Christopher Zanski and his two children, Braden and Hailey, was a devastating and heartbreaking incident that shocked and saddened the community and the nation. The incident also highlighted the serious and urgent issues of domestic violence and gun violence that affect many families and individuals across the country. To prevent more tragedies like this one, we need to take action to reduce the risk factors and increase the protective factors for these types of violence, and to create a safer and healthier society for everyone.