The St. Charles Shooting: What Happened To Randall Coffland And The Twin Daughters He Killed?

The St. Charles shooting remains one of the most chilling cases of domestic violence and murder-suicide in Illinois history, a tragedy that shattered a family and rocked the quiet Chicago suburb. The incident, which occurred on March 10, 2017, involved 48-year-old Randall R. Coffland, who fatally shot his 16-year-old twin daughters, Brittany and Tiffany Coffland, before turning the gun on himself. His estranged wife and the girls' mother, Anjum Coffland, was also shot but miraculously survived the attack. The details of the 911 call and the preceding family turmoil offer a harrowing look into the private crisis that erupted into public violence.

As of December 12, 2025, the legacy of the Coffland tragedy continues to resonate, primarily through the powerful advocacy work of the surviving mother. This article provides a comprehensive, updated look at the event, the victims, the perpetrator's background, and the lasting impact on the St. Charles community and the national conversation about gun violence and domestic abuse.

The Coffland Family: A Tragic Biography and Timeline

The Coffland family, residents of a condominium in St. Charles, Illinois, was a seemingly normal family unit struggling with marital separation and the mental health issues of the patriarch. The tragedy unfolded on the night of Friday, March 10, 2017.

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• Randall R. Coffland (The Perpetrator)
  • Age at Death: 48
  • Date of Birth: July 16, 1968
  • Career/Profession: A veteran IT manager, working as an analyst and network management specialist for various companies.
  • Context: He was reportedly suffering from severe depression, had undergone therapy, and was taking an increasing amount of antidepressants in the months leading up to the shooting.
  • Cause of Death: Self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head (ruled a suicide).
• Anjum Coffland (The Survivor)
  • Age at Incident: 46
  • Relationship: Estranged wife of Randall and mother of Brittany and Tiffany.
  • Injury: Shot in the legs, she survived the attack.
  • Current Status: A prominent gun violence survivor and advocate, speaking out during events like National Gun Violence Survivors' Week.
• Brittany Coffland (The Victim)
  • Age at Death: 16 (Junior)
  • School: St. Charles East High School.
  • Context: Twin sister of Tiffany. She was a high school junior whose life was tragically cut short.
  • Cause of Death: Gunshot wounds to the head (ruled a homicide).
• Tiffany Coffland (The Victim)
  • Age at Death: 16 (Junior)
  • School: St. Charles East High School.
  • Context: Twin sister of Brittany. The community at St. Charles East mourned the loss of both popular students.
  • Cause of Death: Gunshot wounds to the head (ruled a homicide).

The Chilling 911 Call and The Crime Scene Details

The tragedy was brought to the attention of the St. Charles Police Department by Randall Coffland himself. At approximately 5:15 p.m. on March 10, 2017, Randall called 911 from the family's condominium on the 400 block of Reserve Drive.

"I just shot and killed my children"

The audio of the 911 call is a horrifying and critical piece of evidence. Randall Coffland calmly confessed to the triple shooting, stating, "I just shot and killed my children." He also informed the dispatcher that he had shot his wife, Anjum Coffland, in the legs. After the confession, he reportedly told his wife, "I want you to live and suffer" before ending the call and taking his own life.

Upon arrival, police found a scene consistent with a murder-suicide. Randall Coffland was dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The twin sisters, Brittany and Tiffany, were also found deceased from gunshot wounds to the head. Anjum Coffland was discovered wounded but alive, and she was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

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The Preceding Marital Turmoil and Mental Health Crisis

While police initially stated that Randall Coffland had no prior history of domestic violence, subsequent reports and the testimony of Anjum Coffland painted a picture of deep-seated marital and mental health crises. The couple was estranged, and tensions were high.

Randall's severe depression was a major contributing factor. He had expressed suicidal ideation to his wife earlier on the day of the shooting, and reports indicated he had previously mentioned the idea of killing his daughters. The tragedy serves as a devastating example of how untreated or escalating mental health issues, combined with access to firearms, can lead to catastrophic domestic violence incidents.

The Lasting Impact: St. Charles East High School and Anjum Coffland's Advocacy

The deaths of Brittany and Tiffany Coffland sent shockwaves through the St. Charles community, particularly at St. Charles East High School, where the girls were popular and well-loved juniors. The school district provided extensive grief counseling and support services for students and staff in the wake of the tragedy.

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The community rallied around the memory of the twins, holding vigils and memorials. The fact that the girls were killed just days before their 17th birthday added an extra layer of heartbreak to the mourning process.

Anjum Coffland: A Survivor's Voice in Gun Violence Advocacy

The most enduring and current narrative emerging from the St. Charles shooting is the survival and subsequent activism of Anjum Coffland. After recovering from her physical injuries, Anjum has become a powerful, public voice against domestic and gun violence.

She has shared her harrowing story to highlight the intersection of domestic violence and gun access, particularly during awareness campaigns like National Gun Violence Survivors' Week. Her advocacy work focuses on the need for stronger gun safety measures and better resources for victims trapped in volatile domestic situations. Her choice to "live and suffer," as her husband cruelly intended, has transformed into a mission to ensure other families do not endure the same fate.

The story of the Randall Coffland shooting is a stark reminder of the hidden dangers of domestic violence and the critical importance of mental health intervention. While the events occurred several years ago, the memory of Brittany and Tiffany, and the resilience of Anjum Coffland, continue to drive conversations about safety, mental health, and the need for community vigilance in the face of domestic crisis.

Key Entities and Topics Related to the Tragedy

The depth of this tragedy touches on numerous critical social and legal topics:

• Domestic Violence Homicide
• Murder-Suicide Statistics
• Gun Violence Prevention
• Mental Health and Firearms Access
• St. Charles Police Department Investigation
• Kane County Coroner's Report
• Illinois Gun Laws
• Victim Advocacy and Support
• St. Charles Community Grief
• The 911 Confession Audio
• Estranged Couple Dynamics
• Antidepressant Use and Side Effects
• St. Charles East High School Memorial
• National Gun Violence Survivors' Week
• Brittany and Tiffany Coffland Memorial Fund