Five people found dead in southeast Indiana

Five people found dead in southeast Indiana

2011-09-27 02:08:58 GMT+7 (ICT)

FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA (BNO NEWS) -- Five people were found dead inside two homes in southeast Indiana on Sunday afternoon, police said on Monday. Both scenes are believed to be linked.

Sergeant Jerry Goodin of the Indiana State Police said the Franklin County Sheriff's Department first received a call at 1.23 p.m. local time on Sunday from people traveling on a road near Laurel, stating they saw a small child wondering around in the roadway.

"The good Samaritans did not see any adults with the child so they stopped and stayed with the child until police arrived," Goodin said. "A deputy arrived and began talking to the small child and other neighbors in the area. After gaining more information he called for backup from other officers."

Soon after, troopers from the Indiana State Police and an Indiana Conservation Officer arrived at the scene. The officers began a search of the area and located the body of a dead male at a home nearby. The bodies of four other people, two males and two females, were located at another home across the road.

It is believed at least some of the victims were shot dead. "At this time Indiana State Police Crime Scene Investigators, detectives from the Indiana State Police Post at Versailles and officers from the Franklin County Sheriff's Department are still trying to determine exactly what happened," Goodin said. "It is unknown if there is one or multiple shooters. It is also unknown at this time if the shooter or shooters could be among the deceased."

As police are unsure about the details of the killings, officials have urged people living in the area to be careful answering their doors and to report any suspicious activity immediately by calling 911. Anyone with information is being asked to contact police.

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