Police in Massachusetts are desperately searching for a suspected killer whom they believe to be armed and dangerous. Aaron Pennington, 33, allegedly shot his wife, Breanne Pennington, 30, in their Gardner home over the weekend and fled. On the outside, everything seemed fine, but that was apparently not the case behind closed doors.
Breanne Pennington’s family reportedly knew there was trouble in the home on Cherry Street but never imagined she would end up dead.
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A neighbor called 911.
The couple’s four young children ran to a neighbor’s house for help around 9 a.m. Sunday, according to a police report obtained by Boston 25 News. They reportedly said their mother was crying and they couldn’t find their father. When officers arrived at the home minutes later, Breanne Pennington was dead in an upstairs bedroom from an apparent gunshot wound to the face.
Police immediately began searching for the husband.
The father of four allegedly took off from the home in a white 2013 BMW sedan just before 9 a.m. Sunday, according to police. Investigators found his vehicle Monday, and the area was immediately locked down. Residents were asked to shelter in place while police investigated the car, Boston 25 reported. Authorities did not find Aaron Pennington and lifted the lockdown order.
Aaron Pennington allegedly has a history of mental illness.
Breanne Pennington’s sister, Brooke Pertile, told Boston 25 News that her brother-in-law had mental health troubles, but no one ever expected him to hurt anyone.
“We’re all in shock about this. We’re all in shock. We had no idea something like this would ever happen,” Pertile said.
She added that Aaron Pennington’s appearance was deceiving.
“He, on the outside, he was a very nice person. But he’s been struggling with some mental health issues. They just were getting worse,” she said.
If her brother-in-law had anything to do with her sister’s death, Pertile wants him to surrender to police.
“He better turn himself in. He needs to stand up for what he did, and turn himself in. And not be a coward. He needs to turn himself in. He needs to do it for the kids,” she said, according to Boston 25 News.
Breanne Pennington allegedly had plans to leave.
“Breanne Pennington had plans of moving to Texas with the kids to be away from Aaron Pennington. Aaron Pennington suffered from mental health issues and had threatened suicide,” according to a police report obtained by Boston 25 News.
She allegedly kept a firearm in the home for protection, but neither she nor her husband was licensed to carry it in Massachusetts. The report also stated that Aaron Pennington had threatened suicide in the past.
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The search continues.
Massachusetts State Police posted on Facebook late Tuesday that it was ending the search for the night and would resume Wednesday morning. Civilians are asked not to approach the alleged killer and to call the police immediately if they see him.
Per Boston 25 News, Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson advised loved ones not to hold a vigil for Breanne Pennington until police locate her husband.
“Several individuals have reached out regarding holding a vigil in the City with regard to the situation that occurred yesterday on Cherry Street. Due to the fact that the investigation is still ongoing and since the suspect is still at large, at the recommendation of the Police Department, we are asking that no vigils be held at this time," the mayor explained. "Additionally, the City will not approve or issue any park permit applications for any public spaces for vigils related to this matter until such safety concerns are alleviated and the investigation reaches the appropriate point."
Anyone with information about Aaron Pennington should contact the Massachusetts State Police at 508-829-8236 or the Gardner Police Department at 978-632-5600.
