SPOKANE VALLEY -- Spokane County Sheriff's deputies confirmed Monday the boy shot in the head Sunday in a gruesome murder-suicide died after he was taken off life support.
Investigators say Phillip Schiering, 9, was shot in the head by Jan R. Demeerleer, 39, his soon-to-be step-father, in a deadly domestic violence attack.
Police say Demeerleer also killed Phillip's mother, Rebecca Scheiring, and slashed the throat of his 17-year-old brother, Brian Winkler, in the same attack early Sunday morning. After a massive search for Demeerleer, he was found later that day on the floor or his garage, dead of an apparent gunshot wound.
Police say Brian called 911 at 2:49 a.m. Sunday from 600 N. Ella in Spokane Valley. He told operators he woke up to his step-dad slashing his throat and found his mother dead in the kitchen. Investigators say when officers arrived, they learned the suspect had also shot Phillip in the head, but his 9-year old twin brother, Jack, was not hurt.
At about 5:45 p.m. Sunday, Phillip was pronounced brain dead. He was taken off life support and died of his injuries Monday morning.
Employees at St. Margaret's Women's Shelter confirm Rebecca stayed in their facilities after giving birth to her twin sons, Jack and Phillip, several years ago. Employees say Jack is autistic.
After finding the crime scene, officers launched a manhunt for Demeerleer, effectively using the 911-callback program to inform Demeerleer's neighbors about his appearance, what car he might be driving, and the potential danger in their neighborhood. SWAT set up around his Northwoods home in the 8300 block of East Briant.
Autopsies for both Demeerleer and Schiering are scheduled for Monday to determine the official causes of death. Those results have not yet been released.
Detectives say Demeerleer and Schiering were engaged to be married. They had live together for a period in the Northwoods home, but had never been married.
Friends and family have set up a memorial fund for the Schiering family at United Health Services Credit Union. Contributions can be made at the Credit Union Service Center on 1212 W Francis. Also, contributions can be made at any credit union shared branch – just ask the credit union to call United Health Services Credit Union for the account number.
Family members tell KREM 2 News Recebba owned a consignment shop in Downtown Spokane, The Reclothery.
