Alameda Father Accused of Fatally Shooting 4 Family Members Has Court Hearing Delayed

A father suspected of shooting and killing four family members and injuring a fifth at their Alameda home appeared in court for the first time Friday afternoon, but his arraignment was delayed to later this month during the proceedings.

Shane Killian, 54, was arrested on murder charges after the alleged killing of his wife, 6-year-old son, mother-in-law and father-in-law. Jail records show he was also arrested on suspicion of the attempted murder of his 1-year-old son, who was hospitalized with injuries and remains in critical condition.

Alameda police said they apprehended Killian at the family’s home around 9 p.m. Wednesday, shortly after the shooting.

“This is a sad, tragic incident. Based on what I know, these were the actions of a coward,” Alameda Police Chief Nishant Joshi said during a press conference Thursday. “The police department remains committed to this family, this community and anyone else affected by this.”

After police officials responded to a call from a neighbor on the 400 block of Kitty Hawk Road on Wednesday night, they found the father-in-law, who had suffered a gunshot wound, outside the home.

While administering aid to the victim, officers found and detained Killian in the doorway of the family’s residence, which Joshi said they had recently moved into. It was not immediately clear whether the suspect’s in-laws lived at the home or what events might have preceded the shooting.

Killian’s wife, two sons and mother-in-law were all found inside the home with gunshot wounds. The 1-year-old son was taken to a hospital, and all four other victims died at the scene, according to an update from city officials Thursday. The identities of the five victims had not been released as of Friday afternoon.

Joshi said that officials found multiple firearms and “significant evidence” in the residence and that statements given by Killian’s father-in-law before his death were being reviewed. The motive for the shooting is still under investigation.

Killian, who worked as a welder according to county inmate custody data, was also arrested on charges of elder and child abuse, attempted murder and possession of an illegal firearm. He is currently being held at Santa Rita Jail without bail and is scheduled to appear again for arraignment on July 22.