'They're Gone. Everything Is OK', Tinley Man Told Cops After Slayings

TINLEY PARK, IL — A Tinley Park man, 19, was home and witnessed the slayings of his mother and three sisters by his father inside their Tinley Park home, according to documents released after their accused killer appeared in court.

Maher Kassem, 63, of the 7400 block of 173rd Place, was charged Tuesday with four counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of wife Majeda Kassem, 53, and daughters Halema Kassem, 25, Hanan Kassem, 24, and Zahia Kassem, 25, who were all shot multiple times the morning of Sunday, Jan. 21. He was ordered Tuesday to remain in custody until trial.

The shootings followed a verbal argument in the family's home that morning, according to police. The 19-year-old son and brother of the victims heard the argument, and came downstairs after hearing it escalate into shouting and screaming. The son witnessed at least one victim being shot, according to documents. Maher called 911 himself after shooting the four women inside the home he shared with them, police said Tuesday. The son was not harmed.

"Four people shot," Maher is said to have told police at the scene. "I'm going to jail."

When police asked where the victims were Maher, as reportedly captured on police body cam, pointed toward the basement.

"They're gone. Everything is OK," Kassem was heard saying.

"I’m the only one," he reportedly told police. "I’m the only one."

When asked by police if Kassem had shot the four women, footage reportedly shows that he nodded his head.

Kassem was recorded volunteering other statements about having just retired, according to court documents.

"I worked all my life to give my family a better home and they treat me like s**t," Kassem reportedly told police. "They treat me like a dog."

"... Wife’s worried about money and where she can take it. Bury me and take the money."

Maher also allegedly told police, "Money hungry bitch pushed me to it."

At the scene, police recovered a .38 caliber gun with four spent shell casings in the cylinder and two live rounds, in addition to a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, in slide-lock position, with an empty magazine.

Court documents reveal Majeda was shot 7 times, while the daughters were shot 4, 3 and two times, respectively.

The murders have shaken the Tinley Park community, which hasn't seen a crime of this magnitude since the Lane Bryant shooting in 2008.

"Words can't describe how deeply saddened I am at this horrible tragedy," Tinley Park Mayor Michael Glotz said Monday. "A mother and her three daughters are gone, murdered in an act of senseless domestic violence. The entire Tinley Park community is heartbroken at the loss of these four innocent women.

"... We grieve alongside the family, friends, and neighbors who loved them. It’s difficult to process a senseless tragedy like this."

Police said they received a 911 call at 11:20 a.m. from a man—now known to be Maher Kassem—at the scene stating that someone had been shot inside the home. A male suspect was taken into custody at the house, police said Sunday afternoon. A gun believed used in the shootings was also recovered at the scene.

First responders found the bodies of all four women on the lower level of the house, police said Tuesday. Maher Kassem was taken into custody at the scene "after making statements related to his involvement," police said Tuesday.

Autopsies revealed the women were all shot multiple times.

"Our prayers go out to the family and the community on this lethal act of domestic violence against women," Village Manager Pat Carr said during a news conference Monday. "This was a very traumatic scene for everybody involved, and our focus is on the family and our first responders."

Glotz reflected on the killings as heartbreaking.

"This is a difficult day and a stark reminder at how quickly domestic violence can escalate," Glotz said.

Kassem's next court date is set for Feb. 16.

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