January 10th, 2020 by WCBC Radio

– Maryland State Police are investigating a suspected attempted murder-suicide that was reported Thursday in Garrett County.

 

The individuals involved in this case have been identified as John Tasker, 87, and his wife, Cleta Tasker, 86, both of Oakland, Maryland.

 

At approximately 4:30 p.m. troopers responded to a report of a shooting at a residence in the 5100 block of Sang Run Road in Oakland, Maryland. According to a preliminary investigation, a family member arrived at the residence and found both John and Cleta Tasker.

 

Both individuals were flown by medevac helicopters to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia for treatment of their injuries. John Tasker was declared deceased at the hospital while Cleta Tasker was still being treated.

 

According to a preliminary investigation, evidence indicated that John Tasker shot his wife before turning the gun on himself. A motive for the shooting is still being investigated. The body of John Tasker was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Charleston, West Virginia for an autopsy.

 

The case remains under investigation by the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit.