A Phoenix family of five was killed during an early Tuesday morning shooting. The man police suspect killed the victims was identified as 26-year-old Alex Buckner.
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Father Vic Buckner, 50, mother Kimberly Buckner, 49, died at the scene.
Firefighters battled the blaze while a police tactical team entered the house and shot the armed suspect, who may have shot himself as well during the confrontation, Crump said.
Images from the scene showed firefighters on the roof of the residence as thick gray smoke billowed out and then as a fireball erupted through an opening in the structure. Three police officers went to the hospital for smoke inhalation.
Four adults were pronounced dead at the scene, including the shooter, who was fatally shot by police, and a child died later at an area hospital. One couple whose backyard neighbors the home where this unfolded, said police were pounding on their door around 5 a.m.
A Fire Department spokeswoman said the gunman set the house on fire.
Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton said the incident involved “unspeakable violence”, but that the first responders’ heroism gave residents reasons to take heart. James Graham says he wasn’t close to his neighbors but they chatted occasionally and never mentioned any issues. Media gathered outside reported hearing gunshots coming from the house as well.
Officers who entered the home encountered the shooter.
The shooter is believed to have been a son who shot his parents and sisters; a girl between 8 and 12 years of was among those shot.
An 18-year-old girl has been named as one of the victims of the heinous murder suicide that took place in Phoenix on February 23.
Crews were working a first-alarm fire at the home, as well. They pulled out two victims but had to make a hasty retreat as bullets flew their way.
Police Sgt. Trent Crump says the victims’ conditions aren’t immediately available, and he says there could be additional victims inside the gutted home.
Sammie Evans, who lives across the street, said Emma Buckner was learning how to write and would show Evans notes she had written.
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Authorities in Phoenix say there has been shooting at a house on fire on the city’s northwest side and that gunshot victims are in the home. The fire and water damage will complicate the investigation as investigators work to piece together all of the details about the tragic event.
