Published: Less than 30 min ago
The neighbors asked him to stop shooting as their baby was sleeping in the house next door.
When they threatened to call the police, he went on the attack, killing five people.
Now the FBI is also involved in the hunt for the killer next door in Texas.
In the city of Cleveland, Texas, five family members were killed by their neighbor in a mass shooting on Friday night. According to the police, several people are said to have been injured, their situation is said to be critical, AFP reports.
Several survivors were found under dead bodies. The police believe family members tried to protect their children by standing between the children and the perpetrator.
“My understanding is that they were trying to protect the babies and keep them alive,” Sheriff Greg Caspers told KTRK.
The FBI has been called in
On Sunday, the hunt for the perpetrator continued. Initially, it was possible to follow the suspect via his phone, but that trail is said to have gone cold during Saturday evening.
The phone was found abandoned along with a pile of clothes. Police dogs lost track and the man is now believed to have left the area, according to ABC News.
– He could be anywhere, said Sheriff Greg Caspers at a press conference.
Now the FBI’s office in Houston is also joining the hunt and will assist the police in their work, reports ABC News.
FBI agent James Smith described the perpetrator at a press conference as “a threat to society”. The authorities believe that he is both dangerous and armed. In the mass murder, the man shot with a semi-automatic rifle.
Be a skilled shooter
According to neighbors in the area, the man allegedly had a habit of shooting weapons on his property. The police also found empty shell casings on the plot indicating this.
“All the victims were shot from the neck up, it looks like an execution,” Sheriff Greg Caspers told KTRK.
The suspected perpetrator is 39 years old and moved to the area three years ago. According to the police, the man must have been drunk at the time.
“I can’t believe he did it”
The man who owned the house that was attacked survived the attack, his wife and son did not. He tells KTRK that the family has never had any problems with their neighbor before.
– I can’t believe he did it. He came in and shot in the house, it’s terrible.
The family is said to have been cooking dinner when the neighbor suddenly started shooting on his own property. They then asked him to stop as their baby was sleeping.
When the family said they were going to call the police, the perpetrator attacked. The man went from room to room shooting people. The homeowner managed to escape but the perpetrator ran after him. During the chase, several shots were fired at him, but all missed.
An arrest warrant has now been issued by a judge. The suspected perpetrator is charged with five murders and bail is set at five million dollars.