In a tragic incident over the weekend, a middle-aged Australian man allegedly shot and killed his wife before severely injuring their daughter. The horrifying incident took place in Adelaide, Australia, and led to a tense standoff with the police. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear.
According to authorities, the police were alerted to the suburban home in Adelaide around 1:20 p.m. on Saturday following reports of gunfire in the area. Upon arrival, officers discovered the wife and daughter lying in the driveway. Both of them were suffering from gunshot wounds. The wife, identified as Aleksandra Vergulis, 51, was already deceased. Their daughter, Daniela Vergulis, 22, was still alive but in critical condition. Daniela was immediately rushed to the hospital, where she is now reportedly in stable condition.
The suspect, identified as Vasilis Vergulis, 51, had barricaded himself inside the home, leading to a tense standoff with the police. Negotiations between the two sides lasted for over three hours before Vasilis finally surrendered. He has since been charged with murder and attempted murder. Vasilis was denied bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
Aleksandra Vergulis worked as an executive assistant at the University of South Australia, while her daughter, Daniela, was employed as a legal secretary in the crown solicitor’s office. Daniela, who recently graduated from college, expressed her excitement about pursuing a career in law on LinkedIn. Her mother responded with words of pride and support.
As the investigation into this horrifying incident continues, police are working to find out the motive behind the shooting. The impact of this incident on the family, friends, and colleagues of the victims is immeasurable.