GENEVA, N.Y. -- Geneva police officals say 38-year-old Emily Carson and 35-year-old Pedro Pacheco were the victims of an apparent murder-suicide in the center of town Sunday.
Geneva's Police Chief Jeff Trickler says the fatal shooting and suicide happened so fast Sunday there wasn't anything anyone could've done.
"The situation happened so quickly yesterday and it was during a busy part of the morning," Trickler said. "We had several witnesses and several tried to assist, but because it happened so quickly they were unable to assist her."
What makes this even more difficult is that the officers knew Emily Carson. The mother of three was a nurse at the emergency department at Geneva General Hospital.
"It is nothing like what the family is going through, but it's a small community so it hit everyone hard," Trickler said.
Finger Lakes Health says Carson was a dedicated nurse and a loving mother. Several of Carson's co workers tended to Carson when she was rushed to hospital.
In a statement FLH said in part, "We are also incredibly proud of her Emergency Department colleagues who displayed exemplary professionalism on Sunday, February 21, 2016, as they so lovingly cared for Emily, and all of whom, in spite of their own grief, continued to deliver critical needed care to our community and all their other patients."
Carson's friends say she was a wonderful mother and friend.
"It's so sudden it is so unbelievable," Anne English said. "Why? Not why her? But his shouldn't happen to anyone."
Authorites say Emily Carson and the The man who killed her, Pedro Pacheco had an on again off again relationship. He lived in New York City.
The Geneva Police Department says it responds to numerous domestic violence incidents. The department has a Family Services Unit to assist anyone who needs help.
Emily Carson was killed on her 38th birthday
We reached out to Emily Carson's family. They declined to comment.