Phoenix police identify woman, 2 children killed on Christmas

PHOENIX -- (KNXV) -- New details have been released after a local author and motivational speaker allegedly shot and killed his ex-wife and two children on Christmas Day at a Phoenix apartment complex.

According to court documents, witnesses told police they saw the suspect, 45-year-old Anthony Milan Ross, shoot his ex-wife Monday afternoon near 16th Street and Highland Avenue as she tried to run away from him.

When witnesses asked Ross if the victim was OK, he responded with a "no" and pointed his gun at them, police said. He then went into his apartment, and witnesses heard two or three more shots, police said.

Police have identified the woman as 38-year-old Iris Ross.

According to police, he later killed his two children, 10-month-old Anora Ross and 11-year-old Nigel Ross.

Mary Wogas, the sister of Iris Ross, says she received a text message Christmas afternoon from Anthony, and knew immediately that something was wrong.

"I received a text yesterday about 2:52 p.m. Two messages, first one saying 'I just killed Iris and the kids'. The second message was 'with a gun'," said Wogas. "I knew that man was very unstable. I knew he had a very, very dark side..I didn't know it was this dark."

Police said they arrived at 3:45 p.m. and found the body of Iris Ross in the front patio way of the complex.

Officers soon began negotiations with the suspect as he barricaded himself inside his apartment, police said. After several hours, he began shooting at the officers.

According to police, he claimed he killed two children inside of the apartment during the standoff. He later changed his story, saying the children were alive and he was threatening to kill them.

Shortly after 10 p.m., officers were able to deploy a robot into the house and found Anora Ross dead. Officers continued to use the robot, and the suspect began firing shots.

The Special Assignments Unit made entry into the apartment where he continued shooting at them.

One officer, a 46-year-old man with 23 years of service, was injured by the gunfire. He was taken to the hospital in stable condition.