Add Category
Closing in ... a police officer manoeuvres near the scene of a shooting in Souderton, Philadelphia. Picture: AP Photo/Matt Rourke Source: AP
A MAN killed six people and seriously wounded another in three different homes outside Philadelphia and remained at large hours after the shootings, authorities said Monday.
Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman identified the suspect in the shootings in Philadelphia’s northwest suburbs as 35-year-old Bradley William Stone. She said all of the victims had a “familial relationship†to Stone.
On Monday afternoon, police converged on a home in Pennsburg, about 48 kilometres northwest of Philadelphia, and used a megaphone to try to compel an end to their daylong pursuit of Stone.
Crime scene ... a suspect was believed to have been barricaded inside this Philadelphia house after shootings at multiple homes. Picture: AP Photo/Matt Rourke Source: AP
“Bradley, this is the police department!†an officer yelled. “Come to the front door with your hands up. You’re under arrest.â€
Ms Ferman said Mr Stone was likely wearing military fatigues and was known to use a cane or walker to assist him.
The shootings occurred at homes in Harleysville, Lansdale and Souderton, three towns that are within a few kilometres of each other.
Neighbours at the first shooting scene in Harleysville said they awoke around 4am (8pm AEDT) to the sounds of breaking glass and gunshots.
Rendering assistance ... police with armoured vehicles and rifles flocked to Pennsburg after spending several hours at the Souderton home where several victims were found. Picture: AP Photo/Matt Rourke Source: AP
One neighbour, Evon Weron, said the suspect is a former member of the military and that the first victim was his ex-wife. Mr Weron told the Lansdale Reporter the couple had been fighting over custody of children.
Police with armoured vehicles and rifles flocked to Pennsburg after spending several hours at the Souderton home where several victims were found.
Several school districts ordered students and teachers to shelter in place. The Souderton Area School District, citing police activity in Souderton and Harleysville, lifted the order after about two hours but said officials were monitoring the situation.