Chandler father who reportedly shot 2 kids, himself had prior arrest for domestic violence, police say

CHANDLER, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) - Chandler police say the man who reportedly shot his two kids before turning the gun on himself over the weekend was previously arrested for domestic violence earlier this year.

According to investigators Derek Tighe, 52, showed up unannounced at a home near Queen Creek and Alma School roads around 8 p.m. on Saturday. Soon after he arrived, Tighe reportedly shot his 5-year-old daughter and 15-year-old son. Tighe then turned the gun on himself and died at the scene. The two kids were taken to the hospital in critical condition, but are now recovering in stable condition. The mother was home at the time but was not injured.

This is not the first domestic violence incident to happen at the Chandler home. Police confirmed that an order of protection was issued for the family shortly after Tighe was arrested for domestic violence in February. Officers say they took Tighe’s gun at the time of the incident, but Tighe used a different gun during the shooting on Saturday.

Court records show Tighe was arrested back in February for allegedly holding his wife at gunpoint in front of their two kids. His wife got a protective order a few days later. Advocates say while protective orders are helpful, they don’t protect victims entirely. “We want to emphasize that the order of protection, while it is a tool, it is not that final effort. You still got to do the work, still have to make sure we are safety planning,” said Alezandria Barnes with Chrysalis. 

Barnes said mobile victim advocates can help with that planning, along with getting you into an emergency shelter or transitional program. “There is help, you don’t have to do this alone. There are tons of agencies with tons of people out here that are fully funded to be able to support you,” said Barnes. “I just want them to know that it is a phone call away. If they need support, if is an email. However we can make it work; we can make it work.”

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-799-7233. Click here for more information.

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