A young gunman killed a 97-year-old woman and her daughter earlier this week in New Mexico, according to police. The 18-year-old gunman identified as Beau Wilson opened fire at random people in the town of Farmington on Monday.

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Who are Gwendolyn Schofield, Melody Ivie, and Shirley Volta, Farmington

The three victims in the incident are identified as Gwendolyn Schofield, her daughter Melody Ivie, 73, and Shirley Volta, 79, and six others including two police officers were injured in the incident, as police officials confirmed.

Police said the three elderly women were driving through the area when they were shot, and two died on the spot. The suspect did not seem to know the victims.

Farmington Police Deputy Chief Kyle Dowdy said, “To kill three innocent, elderly women that were just absolutely in no position to defend themselves is always going to be a tragedy”.

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As per media reports, Ms Ivie and her mother were both on the way to pick up their grandchild from the school, when they were killed.

According to BBC, Ms Ivie was known for leading a private preschool that she founded in the 1980s. She was highly lauded by many for her generosity.

Police said the shooting started on Monday morning, as the gunman opened fire at random people, houses, and cars. After the alert, officers rushed to the scene and shot dead the suspect in a shootout.

Deputy Police Chief Dowdy said the suspect had minor charges but had nothing to put him under suspicion. He was living in the neighbourhood and had three guns including an AR-15 rifle. However, the relatives of the suspect said he was suffering from mental problems.