The Riverhead community is reeling today from news of the shooting deaths of a woman and her teenage daughter at their home in Wading River last night.
Tanya Lawrence, 43, and her daughter, Danielle, 17, were shot and killed by Thomas Calhoun, 44, who then turned the gun on himself last night just before 10 p.m., according to the the commanding officer of the Suffolk County Police homicide squad.
Lawrence’s younger daughter, Brandy, 13, who called 911 to report a domestic dispute, escaped from the family’s home on 12th Street without physical injury.
Calhoun was Lawrence’s boyfriend and lived with her in the home, Suffolk homicide Det. Lt. Kevin Beyrer said.
The two girls are the children of Riverhead physical education teacher Tony Lawrence, who was divorced from Tanya in 2013. Both girls attended Riverhead public schools.
“It’s a heartbreaking tragedy,” Riverhead Schools Superintendent Nancy Carney said.
“Danielle was a sweet, quiet, lovely young lady,” she said. “I am devastated for the Lawrence family and mourn their losses,” Carney said.
“Danielle had her whole life in front of her and on behalf of the entire district, I want to express our deep sadness to the Lawrence family. We offer Tony, Brandy, and the entire family our prayers and support,” she said.
Danielle, a high school sophomore, was a member of the Riverhead Blue Masques drama club and a member of the school orchestra.
“Danielle played the violin in my orchestra since her freshman year,” said orchestra teacher Marissa Macchio. “She was a kind, sweet and genuine young girl who always had a smile on her face. During lessons, she would be helping others, motivated to learn, and happy to be playing her instrument. In class, she was respectful and engaged in our rehearsals.
“I am tremendously sad to hear of her passing. I pray for her sister Brandy, who is also my student, and her family during this tragic time,” Macchio said.
“She was the type of student that you wish you could have ten of them just like her in your class,” her math teacher, Athena Angerhauser, said.
The district will make grief counseling available to students, Carney said.
Photo: Danielle Lawrence in 2014 Riverhead High School yearbook photo.
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