Alleghany Father Kills His Three Children, Then Himself Murders Apparently Committed Last Weekend   The Alleghany County Sheriff's Office received a call Monday morning (August 27) requesting a well-being check to be done at 600 Jonestown Road in the southern portion of Alleghany County. Sgt. S. E. bush arrived at the scene and found the house to be secure. Sgt. Bush was unable to summon anyone to the door and began to check the windows, where he observed at least two persons who appeared to be unresponsive. At this point, he forced entry into the residence through the back door. The officer found four persons in the home, three females and one male and all were deceased. Each had received a gunshot wound to the head. An investigation so far indicates that young females' father had shot them and then he shot himself. A .380 caliber handgun was recovered by investigators at the scene. The three children were identified as Britney Sims, age 17; Amber Sims, age 14; and Morgan Sims, age 8. Britney was a senior at Alleghany High School; Amber was an eighth grader at Clifton Middle School; and Morgan was a third grader at Mountain View Elementary School. The father was identified as Edward F. Sims, Jr., age 41. Mr. Sims and his wife had recently separated and she was currently riding in Clifton Forge. The mother initially called the Sheriff's Office because she had not heard from the children, who would always call her at least once a day. Neighbors in the area last saw the girls on Saturday. It is believed the shootings took place late Saturday night or early Sunday morning. It also appears that the children were asleep at the time and were found in separate rooms. In accordance with state law, the bodies have been transported to the office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Roanoke, Virginia, for autopsies. Crisis intervention teams have been mobilized by the Alleghany Highlands School System and sent to the various schools affected by this tragedy. The investigation continues.

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