NASCAR star Jimmie Johnson’s in-laws and 11-year-old nephew died in a fatal shooting at their Oklahoma home on Monday, in a tragedy that’s rocked the small town of Muskogee, including those close to the family.
Muskogee Police told multiple outlets that Terry Janway, 68 — mother of Johnson’s wife, Chandra — is suspected of shooting and killing her husband Jack, 69, and their grandson, Dalton Janway, dead in what is being investigated as a murder-suicide.
In an interview with FOX23, Muskogee Mayor Marlon Coleman, said the “bone-chilling” incident took a toll on him because of his long-standing relationship with the family.
“It was traumatizing to find out that a long-standing family who had made so many contributions to our community were involved in this type of incident,” Coleman said. “It was even more bone-chilling to find out there was a child involved.”
The Mayor added he had been treated by Jack, who ran Janway Chiropractic and Acupunture in Muskogee.
“I knew Dr. Janway. Dr Janway has worked on me, we’ve been acquaintances for a very, very long time since I’ve been in Muskogee,” Coleman said. “Just knowing that it was him and his family took a different toll on me.”
Terry and Jack’s son, Jordan Janway, was killed in a skydiving accident in 2014, at the age of 27.
Muskogee police told TMZ that Terry, Jack and Dalton Janway were found dead of gunshot wounds at the scene.
Police said at approximately 9:05pm, dispatch received a 911 call from a female
caller — reportedly Terry — who stated there was a disturbance, claimed someone had a gun and then hung up.
Upon arrival, police said they saw a person laying in the hallway inside the front door and rescued the individual before another gunshot went off inside the home.
When they searched the home, police found two more people dead inside.
Police reportedly said the motive is unknown and the incident is currently under investigation.
Johnson, a seven-time NASACAR Cup champion, will not race in this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series in Chicago, the Legacy Motor Club announced shortly after the news broke.
“LEGACY MOTOR CLUB has elected to withdraw the No. 84 Carvana Chevrolet from this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series event in Chicago,” the club wrote on Twitter.
“The Johnson family has asked for privacy at this time and no further statements will be made.”