A small community in Surprise, Arizona is grappling with the aftermath of an incident that left a father and his two young children dead in what police describe as a murder-suicide. Brock Mater, 34, his seven-year-old son, and six-year-old daughter were found lifeless in their home on Monday afternoon.
The discovery came after Mater’s estranged wife, with whom he was going through a divorce, became alarmed when their children did not show up at school. According to Sgt. Rick Hernandez of the Surprise Police Department, the children’s mother tried contacting Mater several times. Her worries intensified when she saw his vehicle parked at the residence but received no response after multiple knocks on the door.
Concerned for the safety of her children, she contacted the police, who arrived at the scene around 12:30 p.m. on Monday, May 20, 2024. The officers also tried knocking and calling without any response before entering the home. Inside, they found all three deceased from gunshot wounds, with a rifle across Mater’s lap, indicating an apparent murder-suicide.
Neighbors reported hearing loud noises, initially thinking they might be fireworks, on Sunday night. It was these sounds that investigators now believe were the fatal gunshots. “It’s terrible, and I hope that it doesn’t happen again here,” one neighbor expressed, reflecting the community’s shock and sorrow.
Mater was undergoing mental health treatment at the time of the incident. According to police records, he had no known criminal history but had previously been transported for mental health crises. “It is our understanding that while they were separated, he was actively seeking and receiving mental health treatment, and that treatment was going well,” said Sgt. Hernandez during a press conference.
Court documents reveal that the mother had filed for an order of protection against Mater last October, citing threats and abusive behavior. Despite these allegations, the protection order was lifted earlier this month as their divorce proceedings advanced. These records also showed that Mater had a history of mental health issues, including being treated for bipolar disorder and experiencing severe stress related to his separation and custody battle.
The incident follows another recent case in Surprise, Arizona where a man allegedly shot his seven-month-old son before taking his own life. “A number of the officers who responded to the hostage situation on May 17, they were the officers who responded yesterday,” Sgt. Hernandez noted, highlighting the emotional toll on the local law enforcement.