The Nebraska State Patrol arrests a suspect in connection with four homicides that occurred in Laurel in northeast Nebraska early Thursday morning.
The investigation includes two scenes on Elm Street in Laurel.
Each scene included a residence on fire.
Once the fire was out at 503 Elm Street in Laurel, State Patrol Crime Scene Investigators were able to move in.
Investigators located three deceased victims at that location, each with suspected gunshot wounds.
The Patrol says the victims have been identified as 86-year old Gene Twiford, 85-year old Janet Twiford, and Dana Twiford, 55.
All three lived at the house.
One deceased victim was located at 209 Elm Street, also with suspected gunshot wounds.
That victim has been identified as 53-year old Michele Ebeling, who lived at that address.
Physical evidence located at both scenes led investigators to identify a suspect as 42-year old Laurel resident Jason Jones.
Investigators believe Jones was inside his home, so the Patrol SWAT Team was activated, and an arrest warrant was obtained for Jones.
Following repeated attempts to have Jones exit the home voluntarily, the SWAT Team made entry and found Jones in a bedroom with severe burns.
Jones was flown to St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Lincoln for treatment of his burn injuries.
He is in custody at the hospital.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Several agencies have been involved in the response and investigation, including the volunteer fire departments of Laurel, Wayne, and Beldon, the State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Cedar County Attorney, the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office, as well as the Laurel Police Department, Cedar County Sheriff’s Office, and the Nebraska State Patrol.
(Picture from Getty Images)