Police treat Dunedin shooting deaths as murder-suicide

Police were treating a double-shooting in Dunedin as a suspected murder-suicide yesterday.

The dead father and son were confirmed as Barry Wayne Whitfield, 47, and his elder son, Aidan Whitfield, 15. It is believed Aidan Whitfield shot his father at 43 Argyle St, Mornington, after an argument shortly before 2pm on Sunday before turning the gun on himself.

Mr Whitfield, a director of metal fabrication business Valley Industries, was pronounced dead at Dunedin Hospital yesterday morning. His son's body remained at the address yesterday while a forensic examination was conducted.

Mr Whitfield's wife, Jacqui, and their younger son Zack, 14, were being looked after by family friends.

- OTAGO DAILY TIMES