Six people are dead and another has been wounded in shootings in several homes in the US and police are warning that the suspect remains on the loose.
District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman identified the suspect as 35-year-old Bradley William Stone. She says all of the victims have a “familiar relationship” to Stone.
Reuters is reporting that Stone, an Iraq war veteran, is being sought in the shooting deaths of his ex-wife, his former mother-in-law, former grandmother-in-law, former sister-in-law and two other family members late yesterday.
Police officers have converged on a home in Pennsburg, about 30 miles northwest of Philadelphia. They are using a megaphone to try to persuade Stone to surrender.
“Bradley, this is the police department!” an officer yelled. “Come to the front door with your hands up. You’re under arrest.”
Ms Ferman says Stone is known to use a cane or walker to assist him and was likely to be wearing military fatigues.
The shootings occurred at homes in Harleysville, Lansdale and Souderton, three towns that are within a few miles of each other.
Neighbours at the first shooting scene in Harleysville said they awoke around 4am to the sounds of breaking glass and gunshots.
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.