A legislation enforcement officer from Virginia was killed in a shootout with California deputies after reportedly killing the household of a teen lady he had catfished on-line.
The suspect, recognized as 28-year-old Austin Lee Edwards, then proceeded to drive off with the lady after murdering her mom and grandparents, police mentioned Sunday.
On Friday simply after 11 a.m., police have been first referred to as to a house in Riverside for a welfare test of a distressed lady getting right into a Red Kia Soul with a person, in line with NBC News.
Welfare Check For Distressed Teen Turns Into Burning Home With Three Dead Bodies Inside
Responding officers acquired a number of cellphone calls a couple of fireplace only a few homes away from the house the place the the welfare test had been requested.
After the Riverside Fire Department arrived on scene for the fireplace on the primary flooring, they discovered three grownup our bodies on the bottom inside.
“Their bodies were pulled outside where it was determined they were victims of an apparent homicide,” the Riverside Police Department mentioned.
Investigators have been in a position to rapidly decide that the lady from the welfare test name lived on the dwelling the place three folks have been discovered lifeless, the outlet reviews.
Photo of Austin Lee Edwards, the suspect within the triple homicide and kidnapping pic.twitter.com/8usLYilPvd
— Predator DC (@PredatorDCShow) November 28, 2022
During a preliminary investigation, authorities have been in a position to decide the id of the person she was with, who detectives later discovered had been employed with the Virginia State Police earlier than taking a newer job with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, additionally in Virginia.
Authorities ultimately tracked Edwards’ automobile a number of hours later, as he drove the teenager to the unincorporated space of Kelso in San Bernardino County, the place deputies caught up with him.
Catfishing Man Dies After Cops Return Gunfire, Girl Taken Into Social Services Protective Custody
Edwards then reportedly shot at deputies, who instantly returned fireplace.
He was pronounced lifeless on the scene, in line with NBC News.
The lady, who was not harmed, was taken into protecting custody of the the Riverside County Department of Public Social Services. Authorities have been in a position to determine that Edwards had “catfished” the teenager lady on-line.
“Detectives determined Edwards had met the female teenager through the common form of online deception known as ‘catfishing,’ where someone pretends to be a different person than they actually are,” the Riverside Police Department mentioned.
Authorities added that they believed Edwards obtained the lady’s private info after growing an internet relationship with the teenager.
Edwards reportedly drove all the way in which cross-country from Virginia to California to go to the lady, the place he parked his automobile in a neighbor’s driveway earlier than strolling to the teenager’s dwelling.
BREAKING: Family now identifies the victims within the grim triple homicide in Riverside as Mark and Sharie Winek and their daughter Brooke Winek | @CBSLA pic.twitter.com/5QsvQ7Vxe5
— Rick Montanez (@RickCBSLA) November 27, 2022
Victims Identified, Suspect’s Former Law Enforcement Employers Confirm His Employment
At some level, Edwards allegedly killed the lady’s mom, grandmother and grandfather earlier than leaving the house with the teenager and driving off, in line with police.
The outlet reviews that the slain members of the family have been recognized by authorities as 69-year-old Mark Winek; his spouse, 65-year-old Sharie Winek; and their daughter, 38-year-old Brooke Winek, who was additionally the lady’s mom.
An post-mortem will reveal the precise reason for their deaths, which was nonetheless pending as of Monday. Authorities added the fireplace was additionally beneath investigation, with police claiming it appeared to have been deliberately begin.
Meanwhile, the Virginia State Police confirmed that Edwards enrolled in its academy again on July 6, 2021 earlier than graduating as a trooper earlier this yr.
A spokesperson for the division declined to supply any additional info concerning Edwards’ resignation, citing state legislation prevents legislation enforcement businesses from releasing something apart from a date of resignation, the outlet reviews.
As of Monday, it was not instantly clear what position Edwards held inside the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, with the sheriff’s workplace not instantly responding to requests for remark.
Investigation Ongoing, With Authorities Requesting Anyone With Any More Information To Come Forward
“Our hearts go out to the Winek family and their loved ones during this time of tremendous grief, as this is a tragedy for all Riversiders,” acknowledged Riverside Police Chief Larry Gonzalez. “This is yet another horrific reminder of the predators existing online who prey on our children. If you’ve already had a conversation with your kids on how to be safe online and on social media, have it again. If not, start it now to better protect them.”
An investigation into the three deaths stays ongoing, in line with authorities, who asks anybody with info to contact them. Those wishing to stay nameless can e-mail RPDTips@RiversideCA.gov.
A GoFundMe arrange on behalf of the household has raised $30,340 out of $100,000 objective as of Monday.