What to Know
- A man is accused of shooting and killing his father and brother inside a Philadelphia home after believing they were both possessed.
- The double homicide took place inside a home on Walnut Lane in the West Oak Lane neighborhood.
- Anslem Callender, 62, was arrested and charged in the murder of his father, 83-year-old Arnin Callender and his brother, 59-year-old Ancil Callender.
A man is accused of shooting and killing his father and brother inside a Philadelphia home after believing they were both possessed.
Anslem Callender, 62, was arrested and charged in the murder of his father, 83-year-old Arnin Callender, and his brother, 59-year-old Ancil Callender.
Officers arrived at the East Walnut Lane home in the West Oak Lane neighborhood around 12:45 a.m. Tuesday to find Anslem Callender sitting in a chair, Police Capt. Lee Strollo said. He surrendered peacefully and was taken into custody.
A search of the home revealed Arnin and Ancil Callender dead in the basement, Strollo said.
A relative said that the two victims are from New Jersey and were staying in the home after they all attended a funeral in Maryland. Police confirmed the victims were staying with Anslem Callender following a funeral.
While being interviewed by police, Anslem Callender allegedly said he killed his father and brother because he believed they were both "possessed."
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“We don’t know if there is mental illness involved or some kind of argument,” Strollo said.
Investigators said they found a 9mm handgun and a shotgun inside the home. Six shots were fired from the handgun while the shotgun had two spent shell casings, according to police. Investigators also said there were signs of a fight in the basement.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HELP: The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or 800-787-3224 (TTY) provides people in distress, or those around them, with 24-hour support.
There are additional resources for people or communities that have endured gun violence. Further information can be found here.
