West Union , West Virginia

A Doddridge County teenager accused of killing his parents and sister will be charged as adult.

Doddridge County Circuit Court Judge Jim Sweeney transferred 16-year-old Joseph S. Spencer to adult status on Wednesday. Prosecutor Brooke Fitzgerald requested the transfer.

Police say Spencer's parents, Frederick Spencer and Dixie Spencer, and his 9-year-old sister, Patience Spencer, were fatally shot at the family's home in West Union on Sept. 3.

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Memorial Set For Family Members Murdered Monday

Reported: Sep. 4, 2012 10:03 AM EDT
Updated: Sep. 6, 2012 4:15 PM EDT

West Union , West Virginia

A memorial service for three family members allegedly murdered by a teenage relative will be held on Saturday.

Harbet Funeral Home says the service for 49-year-old Frederick A. Spencer III, his wife, 47-year-old Dixie Spencer, and their 9-year-old daughter, Patience, is set for 2 p.m. in the gymnasium at Salem International University in Salem.

Police say the victims were fatally shot Monday evening at their home in West Union.

The Doddridge County Sheriff's Department says the suspect is a juvenile relative but is not releasing any more information.

Dixie Spencer and Frederick Spencer were graduates of Salem College, which is now Salem International. Dixie Spencer was a science teacher at Ritchie County Middle School. Frederick Spencer was a pilot for United Parcel Service.

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The grandfather of a teenager who allegedly gunned down his parents and 10-year-old sister earlier this week has confirmed the identities of those involved in the tragic slayings.

The Charleston Daily Mail reported 80-year-old Frederick Spencer Jr. of Salem confirmed the victims of Monday's deadly shooting were his son, Frederick Spencer III; daughter-in-law, Dixie Spencer; and their 10-year-old daughter, Patience Jo, who also was known as "PJ."

In addition, he said the alleged shooter was his grandson, Joseph Spencer, a junior at Doddridge County High School. He described his grandson as an honor student, who was quiet and had no history of violence.

Now Joseph Spencer is facing three counts of first-degree murder.

The shooting happened 6 p.m. Monday at a home off of Route 18 near West Union. Doddridge County deputies are expected to release more information on the incident in the coming days.

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A Doddridge County teenager has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the slayings of his family.

Deputies said the shootings happened at the family’s home off of Route 18, outside of West Union.

Eyewitness News has learned, through those who knew the family, that the victims include the suspect's little sister, his father and his mother. His mother was a teacher in Ritchie County.

"It still hasn't sunk in; it will take a while," neighbor David Stewart said.

David and his wife, Sharon, live on the property next to where the shootings took place. They said it seems like the family had everything going for them.

"They were a good Christian family, well thought of around in the neighborhood. I just can't believe what would have triggered the young boy to do it," Sharon Stewart said.

The Stewarts also said two other children were away from the home at the time of the shootings and were not physically harmed.

The mother who was killed, Dixie Spencer, was a middle school science teacher at Ritchie County Middle School. The school board president, Carolyn Bowie, said the students and faculty met Tuesday morning with grief counselors.

"This is a terrible situation, and we need to keep them in our prayers," Bowie said.

They are also grieving within the Doddridge County school system. The young victim was in the fourth grade. Her brother, the suspect, was in high school.

"It's going to be a long week of school here in Doddridge County," Doddridge County Superintendent Rick Coffman said. "The compassion and love from the surrounding communities has been overwhelming. Lots of professionals have come in for grief counseling for our students and staff, especially in the elementary and high schools."

Doddridge County deputies aren't saying much about what may have sparked the shooting. The investigation continues.

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Authorities say three people are dead after a shooting in Doddridge County, and a juvenile suspect is in custody.

The sheriff's department says the incident is under investigation. Details will be released later as they become available.

Deputy C.W. Modesitt wouldn't immediately release the names of those involved.

Media outlets report the shootings occurred Monday evening at a home along state Route 18. A press release from the Doddridge County Sheriff's Department said the incident occurred at about 6 p.m.

A receptionist at the sheriff's department told the Parkersburg News and Sentinel details may be released later today, but she calls it a "touchy situation."

A State Police spokesman didn't immediately return a message Tuesday.

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