Six murdered in Yuma; four children among victims

Yuma Police are still not releasing the names of six people - including four children - who were killed Friday night in southeast Yuma. The suspect in the killings, a 27- to 34-year-old male, remains at large, according to police spokesman Clint Norred.

At 4 p.m. Saturday, Norred said police were not releasing any more details about the murder victims found at 2037 E. La Mesa St. A press conference is scheduled today at 11 a.m. at the police department.

"What we believe is it's an isolated incident in reference to that address," Norred said. "People should not be afraid, but they should remain aware of their surroundings. If you see someone who you think is this person, do not try to contact him. Just call the police."

Police responded to the residence at 8:29 p.m. Friday night for a report of a shooting. They found an adult male in the backyard of the residence with a gunshot wound, according to a Yuma police release. The man was transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center, where he later died.

Officers then surrounded the home in what appeared to be a possible standoff or hostage situation. When officers went in, they found five more deceased victims, four of them children.

In the home, police found one adult female, a 12-year-old boy, an 11-year-old boy, a 9-year-old girl and a 6-year-old boy.

Lt. John Lekan, who has lived in Yuma his entire life, said he could not remember such a terrible homicide occurring in the city.

"I cannot recall a homicide investigation that's involved this many victims, to the best of my recollection," Lekan said.

Norred declined to release how the five victims in the house were killed. He also declined to release information about the suspect's connection to the victims or where the suspect may have gone.

The entire length of La Mesa Street was cordoned off from Barbara Avenue to Donna Avenue. That restriction continued Saturday.

Four homes were evacuated while police investigated the scene. The addresses of those homes were 2025, 2031, 2037 and 2043 E. La Mesa St.

Norred said there would likely be an update today on the homes that were evacuated.

The house where the murder occurred is a brown single-story home with a large tree in front. There was a Chrysler PT Cruiser parked in the driveway with a truck parked on the street in front.

People in the evacuated homes were being allowed limited access with police escorts Saturday. Other residents of the street, which is still blocked off, were also being allowed in, according to Norred.

The suspect is between 5 feet, 7 inches tall and 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighs about 220 pounds. He has a stocky build, short black hair and was last seen in a black T-shirt and short blue baggy jeans.

Police said he may be armed with a handgun of an unknown caliber.

Norred said the investigation was still ongoing, so police could release few details. He said the victims' bodies had been removed from the home.

Norred declined to release the type of weapon that was used to shoot the man found in the backyard. He also declined to release if the deaths were the result of a domestic violence incident.

"I've been here eight years, and there's never been anything like this," Norred said.

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Jeffrey Gautreaux can be reached at jgautreaux@yumasun.com or 539-6858