A man murdered his wife and four of her relatives before shooting himself, as he showed up at his son’s birthday party on July 23.

The birthday party was held at a skating rink, but by evening the joyous time ended brutally as gunshots were heard.

Police said the couple were having ongoing marital issues that investigators believed led to the shooting the evening of July 23rd, at Forum Roller World in Grand Prairie, about 20 miles west of Dallas. Fortunately no children or rink employees were injured. Witnesses at nearby business saw adults and children running in terror away from the building.

Grand Prairie detective John Brimmer identified the shooter as Tan Do, 35, and said the party was for his 11-year-old son. Do ordered the children to leave the party before opening fire. Brimmer said that Do’s son and other children are safe with other relatives.

Do killed his estranged wife, Trini Do, 29, three of her siblings, and her sister-in-law. Other attendees included about thirty friends and family, some out of state. Four others were wounded, though none have life-threatening injuries.

“They just looked terrified,” Cody Poston, a witness, said. “There were several people crying and the kids looked a bit oblivious.”

“This was a domestic situation that went south in a hurry,” Brimmer said. “The shooting only lasted seconds.”

Sen Nguyen, father of two children who attended the party, said the shooter was a friendly and family man. Nguyen was notified about the shooting from his 12-year-old daughter who called him crying and terrified.

Walt Hedrick, owner of the rink, was in the snack bar when the shooting began. He scrambled to get his employees out of harm’s way, but Do was not aiming at them. He said he usually has security when the rink is open to the public, but since the Do family had rented out the rink for a private party, no security guards were there.

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About the author

Eisha Vatsal
I enjoy a range of music and love to learn about different artists from all over the world. I love to read. My favorite season is a mixture of late spring and early summer (before it gets too hot).