Murder-suicide linked to Indian education grant in South Dakota

An apparent murder and suicide of six people in South Dakota is being linked to millions of dollars in federal education funds.

Authorities believe Scott Westerhuis shot his wife and four children before setting their home on fire and turning the gun on himself. The deaths occurred last Thursday in the city of Platte.

The incident came one day after the state Department of Education refused to renew a $4.3 million education grant to a company where Westerhuis served as the business manager, the Associated Press reported. The money came from the federal GEAR UP program, which is designed to help low-income students, including Indian students.

http://www.indianz.com/News/2015/019019.asp