(CNN) — An off-duty police officer shot and killed his son in the family’s Maryland home because he allegedly was stabbing his mother, who later died, Montgomery County police said Thursday.
Authorities weren’t releasing the names of the father, son and mother on Thursday. Authorities didn’t immediately have any background information on the son, police said.
The incident occurred Wednesday night in the family’s Gaithersburg home when an altercation arose between the mother and the son, Montgomery County police Capt. Jim Daly said.
The father, 58, found his 25-year-old son attacking his mother, 53, with a sharp object, and the off-duty officer shot his son with a handgun, killing him at the scene, Daly said.
The mother later died in the hospital, police said. Daly didn’t immediately know whether the officer’s service weapon was used in the shooting.
Besides the son, the couple also has two daughters, who weren’t in the family home. The son lived in the home, police said.
The officer, a 27-year veteran, was placed on administrative leave, and no charges have been filed as of Thursday, Daly said.
