Missouri Mass Shooting: 9 Dead In Suspected Murder-Suicide

Police in a rural part of Missouri are investigating nine deaths believed to be the result of a murder-suicide. The motive for the mass killings is unknown at this time.

Police in the rural town of Tyrone, Missouri are investing a mass shooting that took place late Thursday night. Texas County investigators say nine people were found dead – including the alleged shooter – over four different scenes. The killings are believed to be the result of a murder-suicide at this time, citing news coverage from Houston Herald sources.  

Sheriff James Sigman addressed the media about the overnight Missouri shootings. Sigman said at least four different crime scenes are being combed for clues. However, the murder investigation /4/include a fourth and fifth in Shannon County.

A spokesperson from the Missouri Highway Patrol confirmed to the media that the suspected shooter was deceased, apparently from a self-inflicted wound. However, the cause of death has not been clarified.

Nine People Die In Shootings In Remote Part Of Missouri http://t.co/t2JfduXJh9— NPR News (@nprnews) February 27, 2015

Details about what precipitated the mass shootings are scant at this time. Moreover, a motive has not been revealed and it’s unknown if there are other shooters involved in the homicides. The initial call came from a young girl who reported hearing shots fired one of the residences. Reportedly, she fled to a neighbor’s home. Police arrived a short time later and discovered two dead inside the home. Authorities informed residents in the areas where bodies were found to shelter in place and “don’t open the door for strangers.”

Meanwhile, state police members partnered with local investigators and set up a mobile command. Additionally, word has gotten out to school staff members to arrive early in order to provide counseling to students in the small community.

The Missouri area where the mass shootings took place is located in a dense section of the Mark Twain National Forest. The entire area is known to be frequented by hunters, fishermen and tourists who fancy rafting, tubing camping.

Public information officers were on hand Friday morning to address the public about the murders and suicide of the alleged shooter. The press conference took place at 10 a.m. EST at the Texas County Justice Center in the nearby town of Houston. There, it was revealed one of the deceased victims, an elderly female, died from natural causes. Additionally, there is a lone shooter, who died from an apparent suicide. The 36-year-old suspect lived in the Tyrone community.