Boy, 12, Held in Parents' Killings

A home-schooled 12-year-old Colorado boy described as "the sweetest kid" is in police custody following the fatal shooting of his deeply religious parents and the stabbing of two younger siblings. Stunned police are trying to piece together the bloody rampage inside the boy's home in the quiet community of Burlington. Charles Long, 50, and his 51-year-old wife, Marilyn, were found dead, and a brother and sister were in critical condition, reports the Denver Post. The suspect called 911 to report that three people had been shot. It wasn't clear who meant by a third victim, and officials didn't reveal if he claimed responsibility for the attack.

The father worked as a delivery driver for Frito-Lay and was active in his Free Evangelical Church. He wrote regularly on a fitness blog he created and maintained a Facebook page extolling the benefits of the Bible, religion, and gospel music. There was no hint of trouble in the family, said neighbors. The suspect was described by the pastor of the family's church as "very helpful" with a "pleasant personality." A neighbor boy said he saw three of the seven children of the family playing outside shortly before the killings. "They were talking," he said. "You know, smiles on their faces." (More crime stories.)