TYRONE, Mo. -- Eight people are dead, including the suspected shooter, in a multiple murder in Texas County, Missouri.A ninth person died of apparently died of natural causes, authorities say.
The Highway Patrol believes the gunman killed at least seven people in the small town of Tyrone before turning the gun on himself.
The Missouri Highway Patrol says a child called the Texas County Sheriff's Department about 10:15 Thursday night, to say she was inside her house in Tyrone and heard gun shots. She fled to a neighbor's house to call for help.
When deputies got there, they found two people dead. Investigators then found five others dead in three more homes. One person was still alive and rushed to a local hospital.
Deputies also found an elderly woman dead at a fifth house, and it is believed she died of natural causes.
Investigators say they believe they found the shooter In neighboring Shannon County, dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot. He was only identified as a man, 36, also from Tyrone.
The Houston Herald reports a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper said the woman is the suspect's mother, and they are attempting to determine if it links to the crime spree.
Sgt. Jeff Kinder told reporters the motive for the shootings is not yet determined. The names of those killed were being withheld until their families are notified.
"In our job, we see a lot of bad stuff, and this is bad, Kinder told reporters. "It's not natural to see that type of thing."
The Patrol has set up a command post for the investigation at Highways H and 137 near the shooting scenes.
Another news briefing has been scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
Images for this story courtesy: Houston Herald
Full News Release from Highway Patrol:
On the evening of February 26, 2015, at approximately 10:15 p.m., the Texas County Sheriffs Department requested assistance with a disturbance involving a weapon at a residence in Tyrone, Missouri. Ajuvenile female caller indicated she was in the residence and apparently heard gun shots. She immediately fled to a neighbors house to notify authorities. Responding deputies found two deceased persons at this residence.
Further investigation revealed five additional victims who were deceased and one additional victim who was wounded in three additional residences. All three residences were in Tyrone.
Another residence revealed the body of a deceased elderly female who appeared to have died from natural causes. The apparent suspect, a 36-year-old male from Tyrone, was found dead in a vehicle at a locationin Shannon County from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. There are a total of nine deceased individuals, including the elderly female and the suspect. The injured victim was taken to a nearby hospital.
The investigation is continuing by the Texas County Sheriffs Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrols Division of Drug and Crime Control. Any information the public might have regarding thiscase can be forwarded to the Texas County Sheriffs Department at 417 967-4165 or the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop G Headquarters at 417 469-3121.
Images for this story courtesy: Houston Herald
Source: http://www.ozarksfirst.com/story/d/story/patrol-releases-information-on-9-dead/12342/q7dx_OGSVkuHkydigpxgKA
