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Gunman heavily armed
Man kills girlfriend, children and then himself, police say
PDF:Click here to read the related affidavit

PDF:Click here to read the related search warrant

PDF:Click here to read what was recovered from the scene.

RELATED:Killer's friend says she's shocked


HOW TO HELP
The Thomas family set up a memorial fund through Navy Federal Credit Union for the funerals of Tasha Thomas and the two children. Donations can be made at the bank to “Memorial Fund for Tasha Thomas & Kids” or by calling 888/842-6328 and enter the account number 3014062867.

Date published: 5/7/2008

BY KEITH EPPS and ELLEN BILTZ

A man accused of killing his two small children, their mother and himself Monday night in southern Stafford was heavily armed, police said.

Aaron Poseidon Jackson, 24, was wearing a bulletproof vest and was surrounded by guns and scads of ammunition when police found him dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound Monday night in the Walt Lou Trailer Park off U.S. 1.

Before ending his own life, police said, Jackson took the lives of 23-year-old Lastasha Nicole Thomas and their two children--1-year-old Aaron Neptune Jackson and 2-year-old Nicole Aaron Jackson.

All four victims were shot in the head.

Thomas was shot with an AK-47 assault rifle, Sheriff Charles Jett said, while the others were shot with a .38-caliber handgun.

Thomas and Jackson were dead in the living room when police entered 7 Walt Way just south of Drew Middle School about 9:40 p.m.

The .38 was still in his hand, police said, and the AK-47 was lying nearby.

The children were lying in a crib in the bedroom they shared, Jett said. They were rushed out for emergency treatment, but pronounced dead a short time later.

Police later searched the trailer and seized at least seven guns, six knives, a machete, a sword and numerous boxes of ammunition, according to a search warrant filed yesterday in Stafford Circuit Court.

Jett said police at this point can only speculate as to why Jackson, who had a concealed handgun permit, had so much weaponry and what spurred his actions.

"We may never know," Jett said. "There can be no explanation for this horrific and senseless tragedy."

According to Jett, the couple had lived together at the trailer park for about six months. They may have lived at an apartment off U.S. 17 in Stafford before that, he said.

When Jackson was given a traffic ticket on April 24, his address was listed as 11537 Timothy Court in Spotsylvania, court records show.

Police said they were not aware of any serious criminal activity involving Jackson prior to Monday.

Jett said that as far as the Sheriff's Office knew, the couple had no history of domestic violence. Neighbors yesterday said they didn't know the couple well, but they seemed to get along OK.

But the investigation has revealed that Monday was anything but OK, even before the fatal shootings.


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Warning signs

A partner who starts out as "Prince Charming," and is too good to be true

A person who is overly protective

Being too inquisitive and wanting to know exactly where and when and with whom their partner has been all of the time

Extreme jealousy, accusations that seem to come from nowhere, or a person who looks for some reason to make an accusation in any situation

Spying or stalking

Repeated put-downs and criticism, tearing away at someone's self esteem

Excuses made for every criticism, hurtful statement, push or shove

Pushing, shoving, knocking a person down, holding someone down, "play fighting"

Jealousy of child during pregnancy and while raising children

Isolating someone from their friends and family

Saying things like "I'm the only one who loves you, no one else wants you."

Scaring someone with dangerous acts that could harm themselves or each other

Threats to hurt, kill or commit suicide

Having guns available in such a way to scare family members with gesturing or threats

Increase in severity and frequency of violence

Someone who doesn't worry about getting in trouble with the law

--Kathy Anderson, executive director of Rappahannock Council on Domestic Violence



Read more stories about Stafford
Date published: 5/7/2008



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Livin up to her rep again (posted by punkin75 , May 9, 2008 8:40 am)    0 likes
I myself can believe she acted this way,She wasnt telling her story,she was bragging.She is a sick twisted person,as everyone seen.I feel for the families for their loss,and for what stupidity they are having to see and hear from this homewrecking tramp..As far as her "child"....all she ever did for that kid was give birth to her.....shes no mother.As long as i have been unfortunate enough to have known Ashley,spending time in hotels with new "friends" is a hobby for her.Just ask her husband!!!!!!!!!

Mrs Price (posted by gonecountry , May 8, 2008 9:52 pm)    0 likes
I am a relative on Mrs. Prices EX husband. As far as I know he spent time in jail for a probation violation NOT child abuse. I am not saying he is a saint but he did not abuse his child nor has Ashley. I do know that if you read the articles in the Stafford Sun and Wash. Post you will see where Ashley Price admits to doing cocaine and heavy drinking with Aaron Jackosn the days prior to this tragedy. I am just thankful that for the last two years her child has been cared for by family members and not her.

Mrs. Price (posted by twoxtreme2001 , May 8, 2008 8:24 pm)    0 likes
I wouldnt be too quick to defend Ashley Price/Lester/Williams. She has been a drug user since the age of 13. How many times has social services visited her house...Plenty. Her husband spent a year in jail for child abuse, after picking the baby up by the hair and throwing her. Ashley has spent her teenage and adult life in trouble with the police, using drugs, and bouncing from hotel to hotel. And that my friends doesnt even begin to scratch the surface.

How Come (posted by I_listen , May 8, 2008 6:32 pm)    0 likes
Believe it or not Aaron wasnt the type do do any of this so until proven otherwise your all going on false pretenses until a full investigation has come along im not buying it. If the neighbor heard gunshots shouldn't they have called the police And A gunshot Not 4 how can you hear 1 and not the others. I think you all shgould wait until the investigation is over before you decide your opinnion yes its very tragic what happened to his children ther were cute as could be. The shoe could be on the other foot

Ms. Price (posted by Al , May 8, 2008 2:46 pm)    0 likes
Even though I probably wouldn't have admitted spending the weekend in a hotel with a guy who just killed his family if I were in her place, Ms. Price did nothing wrong. She dated a man who wasn't married and had "just broken up with his girlfriend." That's something even the most decent people do all the time. I think the rants against her are a bit much considering. It's not like she dated the guy knowing he was going to go beserk and kill his family. She's probably even more horrified than we are.

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