Kansas Man Who Killed His Wife and Four Children Before Turning the Gun on Himself Had a Lengthy Criminal History

Ronald H. Williams Sr., 53, called 911 on Tuesday to report that he had killed his entire family, including his four children and his wife, before shooting himself as officers arrived at the home in Winfield. Police Chief Robbie DeLong said the first officer approaching the house heard a single gunshot and retreated. A perimeter was established around the home as it was unclear whether an active shooter was inside.

When police finally entered the home near 9th Avenue and Stewart Street—roughly two hours after the 911 call—they found six people dead inside in an apparent murder-suicide. The victims were identified as Kelly L. George, 44; Carol A. Williams, 9; Ronald H. Williams Jr., 7; Sarah K. Williams, 5; and Kelly M. Magee-Williams, 3. Williams Sr. had a long record of criminal charges in Kansas and was a registered sex offender, according to KWCH 12 News. He was added to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation's registered sex offender list in June 1997, when he was in his 20s. He reportedly faced several felony charges between 1995 and 2024 in multiple eastern Kansas counties, including drug offenses, battery, assault on law enforcement, and attempted rape and kidnapping.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Winfield Police Department are investigating the shooting. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "988" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.