Man shot to death by police after killing sisters, 5 and 17

(George Rizer/Globe Staff)
Belvoir Road was cordoned off as neighbors and the media waited for answers.
By Megan Woolhouse and Maria Cramer, Globe Staff
A 23-year-old man was shot to death by police in Milton after allegedly stabbing to death his two sisters, who were 5 and 17, during an argument, in a crime that law enforcement officials said had shaken even the most hardened investigators.
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Kerby Revelus was apparently involved in an argument with a neighbor that somehow "translated into an internal argument with his siblings" that erupted into violence, said Norfolk District Attorney William R. Keating.
Revelus then allegedly used a kitchen knife to kill 5-year-old Bianca Revelus and 17-year-old Samantha "Princess" Revelus this afternoon at the family's home on Belvoir Road.
Keating said Samantha Revelus had instructed a third sister, who was 9 years old, to call 911. When police arrived, they shot Kerby Revelus. Keating credited the swift action by police with saving the life of the third sister, who was transported to Boston Medical Center with multiple stab wounds, but was expected to survive. Her name was not released.
"What we have is an awful, awful tragedy, that has struck one family extremely hard," he said. "It's hard to imagine the grief to the Revelus family."
Keating said experienced investigators who had been on the job more than a quarter of a century had described the crime scene as the worst they had encountered in their careers. One item that was found in the apartment: a birthday cake with five candles on it.
Keating said that Kerby Revelus had been charged in another domestic issue in 2004. He had also previously faced a firearms charge and been incarcerated for it. He was released several months ago, Keating said.
Keating said investigators were doing a ballistic examination and continuing to investigate the scene tonight. The four officers who arrived on the scene were being treated for trauma and stress, he said.
About the 9-year-old, he said, "We have her in our prayers. That's what's important."
Milton Police Chief Richard G. Wells Jr., who joined Keating at a brief news conference at the home, described the inside of the home as "the most horrifying scene."
He said he didn't know the number of shots fired.
A large crowd gathered this evening around a two-story, gray aluminum-sided house on Belvoir Road, a residential street off Blue Hill Avenue, as police investigated.
A couple who walked down Blue Hill Avenue toward the Belvoir Road intersection at about 6:30 p.m. identified themselves to police as the parents. They were escorted by police through the crime scene tape towards the house, the man in tears and the woman wailing, "Tell me what's going on! Tell me! Tell me!"
Marion McEttrick, a member of the Milton Board of Selectmen said she had been briefed by the town administrator and her voice trailed off as she talked about the murders.
"More than anything else, I think it underscores that when a police officer goes to a scene you never know what they're going to encounter. And I know this is a very significant, very tragic crime for the family involved," she said.
Milton is a town of 26,000. It was voted one of the top 10 best places to live in 2007 by Money Magazine. Milton High School was ranked by Newsweek as one of the best high schools in the country in 2008.
Violent crime is very rare in the community despite its shared border with Boston. Today's incident was only the second homicide incident in the town in the past six years. Two people were killed in a shooting in July.
Martin Finucane of the Globe staff and correspondents John M. Guilfoil and Matt Collette contributed to this report.




What a horrible thing human can do.
It is very unfortunate. I have to try to explain to my 7 year old what happened. We live about 7 houses down from Belvoir.
That poor 9-year-old boy
Horrific.
A 2 year old baby, a young woman killed; a 9 year old boy stabbed by a 23 year old man who police had to kill. Well Cosmic, when you figure out what happened and explain it to your son, share it with the rest of us. Is this domestic violence or a random murder spree? What a tragedy for those family members and the people who loved them.
trash is moving there, that's the problem, screw being politically correct, read between the lines
Look at the crime stats in the towns between Mattapan and Brockton and you will see the crime follows Rt 28. The last town to resist is Milton but it will soon be too late. Mattapan will do to Milton what is has done to Brockton, Avon, and Randolph, turned what used to be nice bedroom communities to mini-ghettoes with all the crime of Mattapan and Brockton. Run away, abandon these towns now before it's too late. They are going into the toilet and there is nothing that can be done to stop it.
wow, this article was not written well at all.
For anyone to take a tragic situation such as a child and its' mother being murdered and turn it into a veiled insult at best is truly pathetic. I guess any murders committed in so called affluent locales were a result of the trash moving into the neighborhood.
My condolences to the parents who lost their daughter and grandchild and to the son who lost his family.
Politically correct? She was my friend. How politically correct is that?
Milton needs to watch out for ignorance, not the people moving there.
Rot, people from all over the economic and social spectrum commit horrible acts against their fellow man. In light of this tragedy maybe you could show a little bit of class yourself.
This is horrible regardless of who committed the crime. My heart goes out to their family and friends.
RIP
Officer Nolan walked in and found the babys head on the floor and then killed women... who decapitates a baby.. honestly... thats what i heard on the police scanner
Trash! there is no words to express how deeply ignorent you are. First and for most a children lost a life and regaurdless of what race the persons are in this situation trash is everwhere. Did you forget that most physchocit killers are white get your fucking facts straight people kill people reguardless of race, it could of been your family.
Rot, no human being is trash. Your comment is insensitive and inappropriate. Even if you aren't serious, this is no place to start a flame war for your amusement.
This is the most extreme tragedy. The magnitude of loss for this lovely family is unimaginable and unbearable. We pray for any bit of comfort that they may find as they live through this nightmare. They have lived in Milton for many years, hard working loving people who have been good neighbors, good friends and an integral part of a vibrant community.
We pray for the Milton police officers who so bravely brought this horror to a stop. We are so grateful for our fine police department. We cannot imagine. Today, in only moments of time, the Milton Police took down a murderer, immediately moved to employ lifesaving measures for the injured and dying, then had the duty to share the most heartbreaking news with family members. Then go about conducting a murder investigation.
Our prayers are with all.
Sickening
Your titling this as "Slain" makes one think the police did this intentionally. ??? Why would you use this word and not something like "Killed" . Slain, Murdered, might as well put and officer on trial for something right in the media.
The town administrator used to be the former Chief. He was not a typical cops cop more like some soft Harvard professor type along with a go soft on crime approach. He has reduced both funds and staffing levels at the Department in some ego attempt to curtail his successor’s ability. My sympathies to the officers in the department who had to see this tragedy first hand, but one must have to wonder if the cuts to MPD and the budget transfers from the police to the schools had not occurred would this crime have even occurred. With first years of going soft on crime for more than a decade at his helm and then the personal attack on the police budget after he left and cutting a properly staffed that of least of his concern has been a properly funded police budget on the administrators mind. I hope that given this tragedy reminds us that police are there when we need them and commit selfless acts to protect us from criminals 24 hours a day 7 days a week . Thank You MPD for being there when you are needed and remember even though some elected and appointed officials do not back up we as a town as a whole do .
Despite the geographic location, this crime more likely belongs to Boston than it does to Milton. I would no sooner buy a house where this happened than I would a few hundred feet up that hill. What do you think the chances are that the murderer has a few priors? When will the justice system do more to protect the innocent? And while race certainly does not matter, from what culture did this jerk come?
kirby has lived in milton for over 20 years. his family is not trash, he was in special needs classes for 12 years and was a very nice little boy. he definitely had problems though as he grew up. this is a very hard working family who has to face and live with a horrific situation. please do not refer to people you don't know as trash. that says alot about you.
Trash? That family has lived their for over 20 years. I went to school with those kids, they were in my girl scout troop. Keep those type of comments away unless you know what you are talking about. There is also no reason why NECN should comment "the street is only a few streets away from Mattapan." I mean really, get the facts straight before you make comments like that. What a terrible tragedy for the entire family to experience. A family that is not "trash."
The town administrator used to be the former Chief. He was not a typical cops cop more like some soft Harvard professor type along with a go soft on crime approach. He has reduced both funds and staffing levels at the Department in some ego attempt to curtail his successors ability. My sympathies to the officers in the department who had to see this tragedy first hand, but one must have to wonder if the cuts to MPD and the budget transfers from the police to the schools had not occurred would this crime have even occurred. With prior chiefs 10 plus years at the helm with years of going soft on crime and then the personal attack on the police budget after he left . I hope that given this tragedy reminds us that police are there when we need them and commit selfless acts to protect us from criminals 24 hours a day 7 days a week . Thank You MPD for being there when you are needed and remember even though some elected and appointed officials do not back up we as a town as a whole do .
Trash come on, don't try to be PC try be human no one deserves to die like that no one, Not even your trashy self.
HOW DARE YOU CALL THEM TRASH. YOU DID NOT EVEN KNOW THEM. I AM DISGUSTED THAT YOU CAN READ THIS AND BE SO DISRESPECTFUL.
The story says a third sister, age 9....where are you getting "boy."
I'd like to know the time of the incident, did I miss that? It only says the parents came home at 6:30. If I read between the lines, I would say that the older brother had "Issues". At 23 he had already served time once for firearms and another time for "domestic" issues.
I can't believe this... I used to live there used to know them..RIP Kerby, Princess, & Bianca loved && remembered..wat a tradgedy...tears flowin, liquor droppin, prayers be heard!
i wish they hadn't changed the story a million times...at first everyone thought a baby had been decapitated. but this is awful. princesse goes to my school. first a teacher's son is killed and now this. everyone is going to be so depressed.
2 yr old baby? 9 year old boy? The three injured/killed were girls the youngest of which was 5 yrs. old.
what an awful tragdy. it is a wonder to imagine how those parents go on without their very own children in their day.
my prayers are with everyone who has been heartbroken by this tragedy.
what has our world come to?
To 'Rot': there is nothing to read between the lines. That one person who committed the horrific crime is "trash", not the family. Similar crimes have occurred in other suburban towns such as Wellesley, but I'm sure you didn't call that affluent doctor-turned-wife-murderer trash. Do not condemn a whole community of diverse people for the actions of one. Stop being ignorant!
Rot,
There could be many scenarios that cause this problem. May be the 23 year-old man does not live there but was visiting. You do no know. Doesn't his family have a right to live where they want. How can you categorize any human being as being trash is beyond me. Only an angry person would say such inhumane things. How dare you?
This is not the time for rasist comments friends of my family die and you call them trash how dare you .you should be a shamed of your self.if it was you would you like your family to hear people call you trash .this is not the time for things like that
You're the trash, pal, and you writing trash is the real problem. You're right, you're rot.
So this guy murdered his baby sister on her birthday. It just makes me sick and angry.
It's a relief he had yet slain his third victim so cops had legal justification for blowing him away. If all three kids were already gone and he gave himself up, then he'd get a slap on the wrist. Even now, liberals will be wringing their hands, telling us how tough a life the lunatic killer was suffering through, maybe suggesting cops used 'excessive force' in saving the final victim from certain death.
I'm from East Milton and I knew of Kerby as he went to school with my friends (we're the same age) and I must say I'm horrified at this news. My prayers are with the rest of the family.
how can anyone look at a 5 yr old child and stab them to death...? i feel so sorry for the family...
Well I feel sorry for the parents involved but i must add that it is a good thing they shot the scum bag.
the kids in town are digesting the news...along with everyone else...we all need to reflect...then do something positive
THIS IS A HORRIFIC THING TO HAVE HAPPEN.AND I AM SO SORRY FOR THE FAMILY. THIS IS JUST WHAT WE DONT NEED WITH THE LAYING OFF OF POLICE. I SEE THINGS ARE GOING TO GET WORSE WITH THE SUMMER AHEAD AND PEOPLE LOSEING THERE HOMES AND JOBS WE ARE IN FOR A RUDE AWAKEING OF THINGS TO COME.PEOPLE GET OUT OF JAIL CAN'T GET JOBS PEOPLE THAT ARN'T IN JAIL UNDER PRESSURE IT'S ONLY GOING TO LEAD TO MORE CRIMES .
Wow, my grandparents lived next door at #9 Belvoir. Back in the 1970s/80s that neighborhood was as peaceful as can be. Most neighbors were European immigrant, retirees. Their houses were all well-kept with flower and small veggie gardens in the yard. My grandfather's veggie garden was right next to #7's garden, on the other side of a small fence. The occupant of the second floor of #7, (the crime scene apartment) was an ever-so-nice older woman with a French accent, whom I knew as Mrs. "Marris", who would call out to me whenever she saw me playing in my grandparents' back yard. It blows my mind, 25 years later, to see what has become of Mrs. M's home. I wonder what Mrs. Marris would think of the rap "music" family values as practiced by the present occupants of her home?
please read the article carefull people it was a 9 year old GIRL not boy and a 5 year old not 2 and the young lady is 1 if you are going to take time to comment get it right please and the were attacked not by any man but their older brother ok i know this family and they are deep in my heart and my prayers samantha being dear friend of mines i want you to get the fact right if you are going to comment
Milton Academy is not "trash".
I pray for the souls of his sisters & condolences for their Mother.
But sadly, the headlines will read: "The young man was just turning his life around"
Good riddance to bad rubbish!
I'm not sure how to respond. On the one hand I've seen Milton, a proud and respected town, (I'm from Quincy) being steadily infiltrated by drugs and crime for the past several years...mostly from border towns like Mattapan and Dorchester. Residents of Randolph know full well what I'm talking about.
On the other hand, this was a guy...and maybe a family...that had serious issues, and I wonder why nobody saw this coming. Perhaps there was no insurance or resources where counseling might have helped, but this was a ticking time bomb.
i cant believe that happened. I pray for the family and they will be in my hearts always<3 i am a senior at milton high and princesse was in a couple of my classes she was a friend of mine and i will neva forget her she is in a good place now watching over us. she was the most one of the most hilarious girls ive known she will be missed very much and also her sister and get better to the other sister we r all praying for you<33 xoxo
a Mother lost 3 children show your respects!
we are paying for the values the "me generation" has passed down to their children which is" I am more important than the wole world"
i beleive that is a very sad story because my 17 year old sister was good friends with the oldest sister and it was hard to watch theme cry.
My prayers are out for the nine year old sister who survived this tragedy. I cant imagine the emotional termoil she will go through her entire life.
AGAIN THE JUDGES and court system let this person back onto our streets.
This is terrible. I live about 2 minutes away from that street. I feel so bad for the family.
I knew princesse from school and she was one of the nicest people I have ever met. She was this week preparing for a poetry jam at school, and all the proceedings were going to close to home, a nonprofit organization that dealt with domestic abuse. We are going to dedicate the jam in her honor.
the man decapitated the 5 yr old...when police arrived he was standing in the window flinging around the 5 yr olds head when police shot and killed him....i know one of the EMT's that responded to the scene,,,,horrible absolutely horrible, it was the 5 yr olds birthday as well
i feel sorrow for the family,also i am glad the police responsed quickly to this call so no one got killed or hurt,we have a good milton police department,this is a terrible thing that happened in milton,is milton still a safe place to live,yes,we have the police officers protecting us.which we always did,i just could nt believe something like this could happen in milton,but now a days you just dont know.anyways,thanks to all emergency personnal actions with there split decisions to make.thanks chief wells.
Omg that is the most horrible thing that a person can do. not only killing 2 children but killing your sisters...poor mother looses 3 kids in one day...
It Is Time to Pray! Many need to pray in this hour. Truly, these are serious days in which we are living. Many are seeking after answers--asking how, why, how could something like this tragedy happen. The enemy is busier now than ever. But, the Word of God has forewarned us of perilous times. It has forewarned us of times of great trouble and tribulation. Now is the time to be seeking God while there is yet time to seek Him--while He may yet be found. Draw nigh unto Him, and He will draw nigh unto you. Our God came to seek and save that which was lost. Now is the time when many people are searching for answers and God is drawing all to His side. God is saying, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30). Let us pray for this family and other families, let us also pray for ourselves and our families. Things are happening for a reason... the more of the world we have, the less of God we will have. Conversely, the more of God we have, the less hold this world will have upon us! It is time to awake out of sleep! It is time to begin preparing ourselves for the things which shall soon be coming upon the earth. It is time to pray!
There is no excuse for Rot saying what he said. I think with all the feedback he is getting is sickening! I believe he said it to get his 15 seconds of "fame" or should I say shame. I do not know this family. Regardless I do not believe people should pass judgment. This family just went through the most horrific thing a family could ever face. People should not be "trash" talking about what happened. We as human beings should be praying for the parents and that child who witnessed this horrifying tragedy. Maybe try to raise money or cook some meals for the survivors. I am almost certainposative they will need some help I'm sure they hadn't expected to have to bury 3 children at the same time. We need compassion for these people. I pray to God they can hold eachother together for a very long time. May God have mercy on these people.they
I have read all the many comments however we are trying to fight things we cannot see and that is theere is a sprituaal war going on and many are demon possessed and until we get back to reverence god and praying. God is not going to heal our land. Remember god is a jealous god and we is a nation is a socieety have put everything before him. And those are the facts. If my people who are called by name will seek my face and turn from there wicked ways then and only then will I heal there land and forgive there sins.its not about relegion its about a relattionship with god.
God Bless the Revelus family. Please know that thousands of people are praying for you during this tragic time. My heart goes out to you all. I cannot imagine the horror Saraphina may have witnessed and will have to carry with her.
To those who felt the insensitive need to make unnecessary and short-sighted 'sociological' comments, you add to the problem you complain of. Be the change you want to see in the world. The Revelus family is suffering unimaginable grief. They need your prayers - not your insults. And, if it were your family????
I agree why did no one see this coming. This 23 year old must have had some serious problems brewing to do what he did!!!
Thank god for the Milton Police dept and there quick response and quickness of gaining control of this situations!
My heart goes out to the officers that witnessed this and had to take a man's life to save the lives of others!!!
My heart goes out to the family who lose there children as well!
what a terrifing news to hear. the mother shoudn't of let him back in the house after he got out of jail
I heard this news last night. I was very glad my girls were in bed before the highlights were announced. Children can't watch the news with their parents anymore I'm sad to say. It seems so many horrific things have been happenening lately. My prayers for the family, police officers, neighbors and friends. I wish there was a way we could all protect ourselves and our neighbors from suffering the same grief. Maybe the next time we see someone behaving as Kirby was we can show concern and offer some help before this unfolds again. Learn from this.
I am a foreigner here, I am also frightened by the evil act. How cruel-hearted the young man was! The man should receive his lessons for what he did.
This is a horrific incident... May God Bless this family during this trying time.My heart & prayers go out to the Family
WHAT TYPE OF MAN LIKE URSELF ROT,WOULD SAY SUCH A THING? IM 13,AND I DON'T USUALLY CRY ABOUT THESE THINGS,BUT EVER SINCE THE CAYLE ANTHONY,AND THIS,I CRIED.LORD,I CRIED.U CAN'T TAKE AWAY A PERSONS LIFE LIKE THAT! I FEEL FOR THE MOM AND DAD. LOOSING UR 3 KIDS IN ONE DAY,AND YOUR OTHER LITTLE GIRL IN THE HOSPITAL TRYING TO SURVIVE! THAT MAN, REVULUOS,THERES NOTHING WRONG WITH HIM,HE JUST NEEDED JESUS AND DIDNT GET HIM RIGHT AWAY! I BELIEVE YOU PEOPLE DONT CARE, IF U DID,YOU'D RELIZE THAT WE ARE IN THE LAST DAYS,AND IF YOU WANT TO PLAY AROUND AND STILL BE THE EVIL POSSESED PEOPLE WE ARE, JESUS WILL COME ONE DAY AND IT'LL BE TOO LATE!--MAKE YOUR DESISTION GUYS! HELL'S REAL.AND THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WHO DIED TODAY,IS THEIR. MY PRAYERS ARE WITH THAT FAMILY.ANS SARAFINA, USED TO GROW UP WITH A BROTHER,AND TWO SISTERS,AND NOW SHE'S THE ONLY CHILD.--GOD BLESS THEM!!!!!! <3XXXO
I CANT BELIEVE THIS HAPPENED I WENT TO SCHOOL WITH PRINCESS AND I WAS FRIENDS WITH KIRBY I WUD HAVE NEVER THOT HE WUD DO THAT...WHAT A TRAGETY...GOD BLESS THIER FAMILY...
just sad to her about this....God bless the family of this said thing
i can see my old house in this picture,and it gives me goosebumps just to know i could have been that close .. on this horrid saturday i lost a friend who i always remember in middle school smiling && acting crazy ..i still remember coming back to milton after i had moved && all i see is princess running towards me with a huge smile screaming "semira!! " ;; thats how i'll ALWAYS remember her .. i guess its true when they say "bad things happens to good people..." && "the good die young"
nonetheless .. god bless the revelus family && princess i'll see you one sweet day babygirl.
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