Police seek armed suspect after Reading mother killed in shooting

Massachusetts police are searching desperately for a son described as armed and dangerous after his mother was killed in their suburban home. The incident happened early Thursday morning inside the house in Reading, where victim Andria Hanafin, 49, was found dead in the kitchen.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan held a press conference to name Ryan Hanafin, 22, as the primary person of interest. Authorities say he is the son of the woman who died from gunshot wounds. Residents were told to exercise extreme caution if they ever see him.

The manhunt focuses on a 2010 black Dodge Charger with license plate 2PSY15. This vehicle may belong to Hanafin, but the actual murder weapon has not been found yet. His gun license was officially suspended Thursday morning after police discovered the body.

Matthew Hanafin, the victim's husband and father of three children, called 911 shortly before 1am. He returned home from a grueling 12-hour shift to find his wife fatally shot in their own kitchen. Andria Hanafin was pronounced dead at the scene immediately.

District Attorney Ryan noted that investigators believe the shooting stemmed from a dispute between mother and son. She called the event shocking and tragic, noting it forces a hard look at guns kept inside homes. While the case involves family violence, officials say it does not fit the traditional mold people expect when they hear those words.

A thirteen-year-old child was present in the home when police arrived on the scene. Another daughter had left for college before the tragedy occurred. Matthew Hanafin told investigators he had not seen his son since Wednesday morning, before Ryan departed for work Thursday afternoon.

Ryan Hanafin has worked locally until recently and previously attended a nearby university. He lost contact with his family days prior to this deadly event. Reading Police Chief David Clark warned that the suburb will see a heavy police presence for some time as teams comb the area.

The couple had no history of police visits before Thursday evening, according to authorities. Matthew Hanafin expressed his pain by saying they now have two children who lost their mother. Ryan added that there is another child involved in this investigation who is currently considered a person of interest.

Officials emphasized they do not want any further tragedy to compound the loss the family already suffers. The community waits for answers while searching for a suspect who could be hiding nearby with lethal intent.