OLYMPIA, Wash. — The three people found dead from apparent gunshot wounds Saturday morning in west Olympia have been identified, Thurston County Coroner Gary Warnock confirmed Tuesday.
The victims are Paula Victor-Lopez, 79, and her husband Carlos Lopez-Estrada, 70, along with Michelle Courts, 66, a friend of Paula’s. All three were scheduled to be examined by the coroner on Tuesday.
According to authorities, Olympia police were dispatched around 10:40 a.m. Saturday to a residence in the 2300 block of 19th Court Northwest following a report of arguing, which was then followed by the sound of gunfire. Officers arrived to find two victims inside the home and one outside, all deceased from apparent gunshot wounds.
Police say the investigation is pointing to a murder-suicide, though detectives continue to work with the county coroner and a Washington State Patrol forensics crime scene team to fully understand the events. Lt. Paul Lower of the Olympia Police Department emphasized that there are no suspects and that the community is not considered at risk.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward as the investigation continues.
