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Last updated on Thursday, February 12, 2015
(PAOLI) - 6-year-old Leon Gehl passed away at Kosair Children’s Hospital.
Both 3-year-old Addison Randolph and her 6-year-old brother Leon Gehl were shot during a domestic fight that turned deadly.
Their mother, 33-year-old Melissa Randolph, is recovering from multiple stab wounds to her face and neck. She is listed in stable condition and could be released today. The couple's 1-year-old baby was unharmed.
After stabbing his wife and shooting his children, Jeremy Gehl committed suicide.
The incident happened at a home in the 500 block of North Helm Street in Paoli, where Randolph and her children were staying.
The children were flown to Kosair Children's Hospital Tuesday evening. Addison died a short time later. Shortly after that, the children's mother had to make a difficult decision involving the life of her son.
After two days of no improvement in Leon's condition, Melissa Randolph had doctors take her son off life support on Thursday.
A community in shock has left balloons, flowers and stuffed animals outside the home as they mourned Addison's death and pray for Leon and Randolph.
Dozens gathered Thursday night to pray at Central Baptist Church in Paoli in honor of the mother and her children.
John Hutcheson, pastor of Central Baptist Church said, "It's a horrible tragedy. We just wanted to reach out to the town and let them come here."
No funeral arrangements have been made for the children.
Leon was a kindergartener at Throop Elementary in Paoli.
On Thursday afternoon, the superintendent of Paoli Community Schools issued a statement:
"The loss will weigh heavy on the hearts and minds of family, friends, classmates, school staff and our community. Our condolences are offered to the family and friends of Leon and Addison as well as to the first responders and medical staff who provided loving care to all involved the last 48 hours," Casey Brewster said.
Additionally, Brewster said mental health professionals and clergy are available for students and staff.
The town is collecting donations for Randolph at the town office.
The Deadly Fight
Tuesday night Indiana State Police said what started as a fight over a family issue turned violent when Jeremy Gehl started to attack his wife with a knife. Police said the children ran to their mother and that is when Gehl shot them and then turned the gun on himself.
Gehl died on the way to the hospital. Addison and Leon were taken to Kosair Children's Hospital where Addison died. The children's mother, who was first taken to a Louisville Hospital, was transferred to Kosair to be with her children.
Johnson says there was obvious tension when Gehl would come to pick up the children and it appeared Randolph was afraid of her estranged husband.
She did file a protective order in Orange Superior Court against Gehl.
Gehl was served with the protective order on February 25, 2013, with it expiring February 21.
The protective order prohibited Gehl from having direct or indirect contact with Randolph except as it related to the parties' minor children. In addition, the order outlined provisions of Gehl's time with the children, consistent with what is known as Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines.
Gehl was ordered to stay away from Randolph's residence and place of employment. In issuing the order, the court found it was "necessary to bring about a cessation of the violence or the threat of violence" and that "domestic or family violence has occurred sufficient to justify the issuance of this order."
However, Indiana State Police say the two were living together at the North Helm Street address.
The community has established funds to aid Randolph.
A fund is set up at Hoosier Hills Credit Union in Paoli and people can drop off money at Paoli's Town Hall at 110 N. Gospel Street. Checks can be made out to Hoosier Hills Credit Union with "Randolph family" in the memo line.
A gofundme fund has also been set up, and people can donate at www.gofundme.com/m7zrhw.
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