Suspect in Deadly Family Shooting in Vestal Dies

The Vestal man who allegedly shot and killed his stepdaughter, wounded his wife and shot himself has died.

Vestal Police say 62-year-old Jean Guillaume succumbed to wounds inflicted July 4^th at the family’s apartment on Rano Boulevard.

17-year-old Vestal High School student Lauren Ajex was shot dead in the incident while her mother, Doctor Marie Laure Jean-Jacques was critically injured but is expected to survive. 

Ajex’s 11-year-old sister heard shots fired at around 9 p.m. Saturday and ran downstairs where she found her mother and sister shot and Guillaume holding a pistol and ran to a neighboring home to call authorities.

The young girl was not injured by the gunfire and is being cared for by Broome County Social Services as authorities say there is no immediate family in the area.

Police say they are still looking into where the .22 caliber pistol used in the shooting came from. 

While Police had not previously responded to reports of domestic violence at the home, they say there had been a history of domestic abuse associated with the family.

Anyone who is in an abusive situation should know help is available by contacting the Crime Victims Assistance Center hotline at (607) 722-4256 or RISE Shelter at (607) 754-4340 or 1-877-754-4340 in the Binghamton area.  There are also text and online options available for people who are afraid to make a voice-call. Also, anyone who sees a suspected abuse situation should contact their local authorities.