The State : 3 Die Before Congregation

A man shot and killed his wife and 3-year-old daughter in front of the congregation at a Baptist Temple in Fresno, then killed himself with the same gun, authorities said. The man and woman died at the scene and the child died at a nearby hospital. Identities of the victims were withheld until relatives could be notified. Police said about 85 members of the congregation were inside the church at the time. Most of the congregation members, like the victims, were Hmongs from Laos, and Fresno police had to interview witnesses through interpreters. Police said the man and woman apparently had been having marital problems. The couple had five other children who were not hurt.