In what investigators believe was a targeted home invasion, a Darien couple and one of their three children were found shot to death in their home, as reported in the Chicago Sun-Times. Among the dead are 50-year-old Jeffrey R. Kramer, 48-year-old Lori Kramer and their 20-year-old son Michael J. Kramer.
The surviving daughter, whose name and age were not disclosed, called police from an upstairs closet slightly before 3 a.m. saying she heard shots fired. It wasn't known whether she witnessed the murders or was able to identify the suspect(s). A woman who was visiting the house told reporters that another son escaped through a basement window.
No weapon was found and no one has been taken into custody. So far, police have few leads other than tracks in the snow leading to where the assailant's car presumably was parked.
Jeffrey Kramer owned a west suburban car repair and towing shop and was known as a die-hard Chicago White Sox fan. Fabian Sanchez, who owns an auto repair shop next door to Mr. Kramer's shop, described the deceased man as a good guy:
"I've known him almost 16 years. He was a nice man. We talked every day. He would say, 'Amigo, buenas tardes.'"
The Chicago Tribune's coverage of the murders notes that the bodies of Jeffrey and Michael were found on the first floor, while Mrs. Kramer's body was on the stairway leading up to the second floor. The surviving son was identified by the Tribune as 29-year-old Anthony Kramer, who was able to escape because his bedroom was in the basement.
Police have ruled out the possibility of a murder-suicide. Police Chief Robert Pavelchik told Tribune reporters he didn't believe it was a random shooting but did not elaborate.
Related Resources:
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Murder: First Degree (FindLaw)
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Three Slain in Darien Home Invasion (NBC Chicago, includes video)
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Chicago Criminal Attorney Directory (FindLaw)
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