Michigan father accused of shooting his children

DETROIT -- A father allegedly shot and killed three of his children and wounded another before setting their home on fire and fleeing on a bicycle, authorities said.

Anthony Lamar Bailey, 37, was apprehended Wednesday as he walked on a freeway overpass. He was named in a warrant charging him with several counts, including first-degree murder, arson and assault with intent to commit murder.

Firefighters found the children in the basement of their burning home, and believe Bailey fled on bicycle after the blaze started before 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Sharnice, 11, her 3-year-old sister Ayana and 1-year-old brother Lamar died at the scene, said Deputy Police Chief Tara Dunlop.

The surviving child, Antonia Bailey, 9, who had been shot in the stomach, was taken to Sinai-Grace Hospital in critical condition, said Officer Christopher Cole. She was expected to survive, Dunlop said.

First-degree murder carries a sentence of life in prison without parole. Bailey was to be arraigned Thursday.

Cole said neighbors reported Bailey had been raising the children and that he was in the middle of a divorce with the children's mother, who has not been seen for about one month.

It appears the fire was set to cover up the shooting, Cole said.

Tommy Samuels, 38, who was visiting in the neighborhood, said he saw firefighters bringing out the children's bodies, and that rescuers tried in vain to revive one of the girls.

"They tried to save that baby," he said. "They really, really, tried. They kept pounding on her and pounding on her."

A teacher at Pitcher Elementary School said Antonia is a model student.

Antonia was named student of the month in March and received awards in nearly every subject at an end-of-the-year assembly, said Judith Bryant, her fourth-grade teacher.

"She was like a sponge," Bryant said. "She wanted to soak up as much as she could."

Next-door neighbor Margaret Wasuikanis described Anthony Bailey as a caring father who was protective of his children.

"I really hate this. They were such a good family," she said. "I wish there was something we could do."