FOUR DEAD IN SHOOTING

three men were fatally shot by one gunman, who police believe fell to his death, on the afternoon of dec. 17.

the men-a grandfather, his son-in-law and his grandson-were killed inside their apartment at 492 amsterdam ave. between west 83rd and 84th streets, according to police.

the victims were fernando gonzales, 87, his son-in-law carlos rodriguez, sr., 52, and rodriguez's 24-year-old son, carlos, jr.

a fourth body, the alleged shooter hector quinones, was also found dead, apparently from falling out of a third-floor apartment window in the five-story walk up building. police suspect that he tried to flee on the fire escape. his .380 caliber, semi-automatic smith and wesson pistol was found in the apartment.

gonzales was found dead in the bathroom. rodriguez and his son were shot in the bedroom.

gisela gonzalez, the 49-year-old mother of carlos, jr. and wife of carlos, sr., was returning home from a meeting with her landlord at tenant court when she walked in on the shooting at 1:45 p.m. she sustained a head injury-possibly from being grazed by a bullet or hit with the butt of the gun-and was taken to a nearby hospital.

reports say drugs were at the heart of the shootings. quinones knew the elder rodriguez from their days in prison together.