Later in the statement, Schmitt admitted to killing his father, Jack Schmitt, Deters said. He claimed he struck the older man in the back of the head with a rock several times.

Deters said Schmitt claimed he meant to save his father from the struggles of bad health. "He simply believed his dad was not in good shape and this was what he would have wanted him to do," Deters said.

The two victims in the weekend attack are hospitalized and expected to recover, authorities said.

Schmitt faces two counts of first-degree murder, each with a potential prison sentence of 20 to 60 years, two counts of attempted murder, each with a potential sentence of six to 30 years, and two counts of aggravated battery, each with a potential sentence of two to five years.

Schmitt has served on the Triad School Board since April 2009.

"We are just shocked and in disbelief," said Rob Luttrell, who is president of the board and a captain with the Troy Police Department.

"In no manner had he ever expressed or shown anything that would suggest he was capable of the things he is accused of doing," Luttrell said.

He said to his knowledge Schmitt had never had any negative contact with Troy police.

Terry Hillig of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.