RTA gunman suspected of killing at least five people at three separate locations in Pennsylvania’s Montgomery County has barricaded himself inside a home in Souderton. A SWAT team is on the scene.
The first shooting was reported at 3:55 a.m. Monday in Lower Salford Township, about 45 minutes northwest of Philadelphia. Police found a woman shot to death at the location, WPVI reported. Forensics investigators from Montgomery County could be seen investigating a unit there, and two bullet holes were visible, according to WCAU.
Souderton neighborhood under siege it seems.Heavily armed officers&armored vehicle looking for gunman @fox29philly pic.twitter.com/NV1UTOMAkk
— Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) December 15, 2014
Half an hour later, at 4:25 a.m., police were called to a shooting in Lansdale, where they discovered two more people who had been shot and killed. A SWAT team responded to the scene, but drew back after nearly three hours. Police did not release any information about the gunman at that time, the NBC affiliate said.
Two more people were discovered shot to death in Souderton.
Sources told the ABC affiliate that all the victims had been shot at close range. The gunman is believed to be a military veteran, police say.
Road blocked off Broad Street in Souderton pic.twitter.com/dZiBp9Jyhq
— Ann Cornell (@ann_cornell) December 15, 2014
A fourth scene was discovered in Pennsburg, and is believed to be related to the three previous shootings, WPVI reported. Police have not released any details about what they have found at that location, however.
Souderton School District is under a “shelter in place” order, with schools operating on standby with limited visitors allowed in and out, officials told KYW.
Police say that two children were taken from Lower Salford during their response, and both have been found safe, according to WPVI.
https://twitter.com/mg_thereporter/status/544510432338534400
The SWAT team entered the Souderton home where the suspect is believed to be barricaded at 9:45 a.m. Airspace is being closed above the area for the next two hours, WPVI’s Mike Neilon tweeted.
Law enforcement has provided few details in the hours since, but a loud explosion was heard at the site just before 12 noon local time, a local ABC News affiliate reported. According to that network, law enforcement officials believe the death toll may rise.
https://twitter.com/bucksconews/status/544537158942724096
At least one person has since been taken from the house on a stretcher.
AH, yes, another deranged military veteran. SWAT teams, sheltered schools, blocked off streets, whee what fun the troops are having with this one. Lets see if any of the police actually take fire or will it be another last minute suicide.