Police say 35-year-old Bradley Stone, who officials suspect of killing six family members, is ‘armed and dangerous’

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

Police in Pennsylvania are searching for a 35-year-old man suspected of killing six family members and seriously wounding one more.

In the town of Pennsburg police surrounded a home and reportedly fired flash-bangs into the home.

The Montgomery county district attorney warned the public that Bradley Stone, 35, was “armed and dangerous”. Police believe that Stone, a Pennsburg resident, killed six family members.

Police could be seen investigating at least three separate crime scenes, including one in Lansdale and Souderton, all within about 20 miles of each other in Montgomery county.

Bradley Stone. Photograph: Montgomery County

The police search for Stone began after they received a report of a shooting around 3.55am on Monday, according to ABC6, in Lower Salford Township.

At another scene in the town of Souderton police surrounded a home for hours before clearing the scene and moving armored vehicles to Pennsburg, where most police activity was concentrated as of 2.50pm Monday.

Another crime scene was reportedly in Lansdale.

Police shut down a street in Pennsburg and were demanding “Bradley” come out of the residence. “Come to the front door, you’re under arrest,” police were heard saying over a megaphone.

Stone is reportedly about 5ft 10in tall, 195lbs, with closely cropped red hair and a beard. Police believe he could be wearing camouflage fatigues. He is known to use a cane or walker. Police said members of the public should call 911 if Stone was seen and residents should remain inside with doors locked until he was apprehended.

“As we stand here right now, we don’t know where he is,” Montgomery county district attorney Risa Ferman said in a Monday night press conference.

Investigators recovered Stone’s vehicle and personal cellphone. The last he was seen was when he brought his two children to a neighbor’s home. “It’s of great significance that the children are safe right now,” Ferman said.

Ferman said the events began with a 911 hang-up call from one of the three residences that authorities believe Stone targeted. First responders found Stone’s former mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law dead at the residence.

At about 4.55am on Monday the neighbor of Stone’s ex-wife Nicole Stone made a 911 call. She was later found dead at her home.

Ferman said the first people killed were Nicole Stone’s sister and brother-in-law and their 14-year-old daughter. Their 17-year-old son was found injured and was being treated at a hospital.