Thanksgiving Massacre Witness: Paul Merhige Ate Dinner, Sang Songs Then Executed Family

CBS Crimesider

December 2, 2009

Posted by Edecio Martinez

  

(Family Photo)

(AP Photo/ Jim Sitton via WPTV)

(AP Photo/ Jim Sitton via WPTV)

(AP Photo/Jupiter Police Dept.)

Photo: Jim Sitton with his daughter, Makayla.
PICTURES: Thanksgiving Massacre Takes "Sweet" Makayla

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (CBS/AP) Paul Michael Merhige sat through three hours of Thanksgiving Day dinner and sing-alongs around the piano, plotting the moment he would fatally shoot four relatives, his cousin-in-law said Tuesday.

After opening fire, Merhige was heard saying he had waited 20 years to kill them, according to the host of the dinner that turned deadly.

PICTURES: Thanksgiving Massacre Takes "Sweet" Makayla

Photo: Makayla Sitton.

There were no arguments, warnings or red flags before the rampage, said Merhige's cousin-in-law Jim Sitton, whose 6-year-old daughter was killed.

Merhige also shot his 79-year-old aunt to death and killed his twin sisters, one of whom was pregnant, police said.

"He had this whole thing pre-planned. His goal was to shoot his sisters and punish his parents," Sitton said.

Photo: Makayla Sitton.