Australian man fatally shoots wife, severely wounds daughter

A middle-aged Australian man fatally shot his wife and severely wounded their daughter, leaving their bleeding bodies in the driveway before engaging in a standoff with cops over the weekend, police say.

Officers were called to the suburban home in Adelaide, Australia, about 1:20 p.m. Saturday after reports of gunfire in the area, according to news.com.au. When officers arrived at the scene, they found the wife and daughter laying in the driveway with gunshot wounds, officials said.

Vasilis Vergulis, 51, had allegedly shot and killed his spouse, Aleksandra Vergulis, also 51. She was already dead when cops arrived.

The couple’s daughter, Daniela Vergulis, 22, was severely wounded. Authorities brought her to the hospital, where she was listed in stable condition.

The motive for the shooting was unclear.

Cops besieged the home, where the suspect had barricaded himself inside. The two sides negotiated for more than three hours before the man finally surrendered.

Police charged Vasilis Vergulis with murder and attempted murder. He was denied bail and is slated to appear in court Monday.

Aleksandra reportedly worked as an executive assistant at the University of South Australia, while her daughter is employed as a legal secretary in the crown solicitor’s office.

Daniela wrote on LinkedIn after her college graduation last year that she was looking forward to a law career.

“I can’t wait to see where it takes me!” she wrote.

Her proud mom replied to the post, “You are brilliant, able and ambitious, an achiever.

“I bless you with all that you need to earn many more achievements and feasts in life ahead and I will always be there to support you.”