Mom shoots toddler son, then herself, at Colorado national park, officials say

A mother shot her 17-month-old son in a murder-suicide at a national park in Colorado, officials say.

The mother and son were found dead Friday afternoon by Rocky Mountain National Park rangers after the park had been looking for a “suicidal subject” who was likely in the park, a park news release said.

“Park rangers conducted an on scene investigation and the individuals were transferred to the Larimer County Coroner’s Office,” a national park news release said.

The Larimer County Coroner’s Office identified the bodies as 24-year-old Tristen Watson from nearby Colorado Springs and her 17-month-old son Christopher. Both died of gunshot wounds to the head, the coroner’s office said on its website.

The toddler’s death was ruled a homicide and his mother’s death a suicide, according to the coroner.

No other information will be released at this time.