(Newswire.net — August 9, 2015) — Houston, Texas – Eight people — including 5 children and 3 adults — were found dead inside a Houston-area home, Texas authorities said Sunday, AP reported.
After receiving a phone call, about 9 pm Saturday, saying that the fugitive might be hiding in a house in the Houston area, the police dispatched units that arrived shortly, Harris County Sheriff spokesman Thomas Gilliland told KHOU-TV.
According to the police, deputies subsequently received information indicating that a man inside the home was wanted on a warrant for aggravated assault on a family member. When they approached the house, they saw what appeared to be a dead child through the window.
Four deputies then forced their way into the home, prompting the 49-year-old male suspect inside to begin shooting. Deputies pulled back and called the SWAT team.
About an hour later, the suspect surrendered, so the police stormed inside the house, only to find a horrific scene.
“At this time we have what appears to be five children and three adults,” Gilliland said. “Ages and genders we do not have, and cause of death we do not have. The medical examiner will have to determine a cause of death.”
The relationship between the suspect and victims wasn’t immediately known. No further details were released, according the KHOU-TV.
“Homicide detectives have taken over the operation along with our crime scene unit. Due to the amount of victims and the proximity to the people in the house, it’ll be a scene that’s going on for a while.”
According to witness, 19-year-old Alan Cartagena, he was attending a barbecue at a home a couple houses away when the police started going around the neighborhood knocking on doors at approximately 11 pm.
“Cops were walking around with their handguns out, telling people to remain in their houses. They were also telling them to evacuate. It was extremely scary,” he said.
Cartagena said he heard one gunshot but wasn’t sure if there were more.